I 


• 


COCONUT  PALMS  NEAR  MIAMI. 

These  magnificent  palms,  growing  on  the  estate  of  Charles  Deering  at  Buena  Vista,  are  as 
large  and  vigorous  as  any  to  be  found  in  the  South  Sea  islands,  and  annually  bear  heavy  crops 
of  nuts.  The  coconut  is  a  prince  among  ornamental  plants;  it  can  almost  be  considered,  in 
fact,  emblematic  of  the  tropics,  and  its  presence  in  any  planting  creates  an  atmosphere  which 
cannot  be  produced  by  any  other  member  of  the  plant  kingdom.  (Frontispiece) 


ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 
IN  FLORIDA 


BY 

CHARLES  TORREY  SIMPSON 


A  TREATISE  ON  THE  DECORATIVE 
PLANTS  ADAPTED  TO  FLORIDA  AND 
THEIR  CULTIVATION,  WITH  SUGGESTIONS 
FOR  THE  ORNAMENTATION  OF 
FLORIDA  HOMES  AND  GROUNDS 


Published  by  the  Author 


LITTLE  RIVER,  FLORIDA 
1916 


Copyright,  1916 

by 

Charles  T.  Simpson, 
Little  River,  Florida. 

MAIN  MI«*%WY-AQ*IClJLTmrE  CHEPT. 


RUM  FORD  PRESS 
CONCORD,  N.  H. 


TO  MR.  CHARLES  DEERING  WHO,  INSTEAD  OF  DESTROYING 

THE  HAMMOCK,   IS   CREATING  IT,  THIS  LITTLE 

BOOK  IS  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED. 


in 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Introduction    .    .    .    .    .    .    ..  .    .    .  •.    .  -.  -.  -.  :.   •.'-.    i    .  v 

Laying  Out  Grounds  and  Clearing  Land    .    . I 

Formal  or  Geometric  Gardening  .....'.. 5 

Making  a  Home  in  Florida 9 

Architecture     ..'... 14 

Soil:  Fertilizers 17 

Climate :  Protection  of  Plants 21 

Propagation 27 

Planting 33 

The  Cultivation  and  Care  of  a  Garden  •  ...   •. 37 

Plant  Enemies 43 

Treatment  and  Planting  of  Low  Grounds  ........  49 

Miscellaneous  Ornaments 53 

Shade  Trees  for  Roads  and  Streets  in  Florida 57 

Wind  Breaks  and  Hedges      65 

Orchids 67 

Fern  Pools 75 

In  the  Hammock 79 

A  Wildwood  Garden 85 

A  Summer  Morning  at  The  Sentinels 89 

Catalog  of  Plants    .    .    .    .    .    .    ^   ., 95 

Catalog  of  Indigenous  and  Naturalized  Plants 97 

Native  Palms 97 

Native  Ornamental  Trees 102 

Native  Ornamental  Shrubs no 

Native  Ornamental  Vines in 

Native  Ferns 113 

Native  Ornamental  Herbaceous  Plants 115 

Exotic  Ornamental  Plants 117 

Pinnate  Leaved  Palms 117 

Fan  Leaved  Palms 124 

Ornamental  Exotic  Trees 128 

v 


vi  CONTENTS 

PAGE. 

Ornamental  Exotic  Shrubs 140 

Ornamental  Fruit  Bearing  Plants 152 

Ornamental  Vines  and  Creepers       156 

Herbaceous  Plants 166 

Annuals 184 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE. 

Coconut  Palms  near  Miami Frontispiece 

An  Ideal  Tropical  Home Fig.  I  10 

The  Sentinels       .    .>. 2  10 

A  Country  Home  in  Cuba 3  10 

Ornamental  Plants  in  a  Cuban  Courtyard     ....  4  10 

Plan  for  a  Slat  House 5  28 

Another  Florida  Plant  House 6  30 

A  Garden  in  South  Florida .  7  38 

A  Rustic  Seat .    .  ^  8  38 

A  Rustic  Bridge  in  the  Hammock 9  54 

A  Shady  Road  in  Cuba 10  54 

A  Tropical  Avenue  as  It  Should  Be 1 1  56 

Ficus  nitida      12  56 

An  Avenue  of  Tamarinds 13  59 

The  Carissa  as  a  Hedge  Plant 14  59 

A  Bamboo  Windbreak 15  6 1 

A  Philippine  Orchid 16  62 

How  to  Make  a  Fern  Pool 17  76 

On  the  Bank  of  a  Fern  Pool 18  77 

A  Tropical  Border  at  The  Sentinels 19  77 

An  Aerial  Garden  in  South  Florida 20  82 

Crocodile  Hole 21  82 

The  Sea-grape  or  Shore-grape 22  82 

Mangroves  on  the  Shore  of  Bay  Biscayne      ....  23  82 

Cocos  plumosa 24  1 1 8 

A  Magnificent  Avenue  of  Palms 25  118 

A  Handsome  Oriental  Palm      26  118 

The  Famous  Talipot  Palm 27  118 

A  Group  of  Fan  Leaved  Palms 28  119 

Royal  Palms  in  Cuba 29  124 

A  Group  of  Palms  in  Brazil 30  124 

The  Old  Man  in  the  Garden 31  124 

Ficus  nymphaefolia  at  The  Sentinels 32  130 

A  Fig  of  Much  Promise  for  Florida 33  130 

vii 


viii  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE. 

The  Silk  Cotton  Tree Fig.  34  130 

The  Mango 35  130 

The  Carissa  or  Natal  Plum 36  155 

TheLitchi 37  155 

An  Avenue  of  Mango  Trees      38  155 

Camoensia  maxima 39  155 

Bamboos  in  Cuba  ...'.." 40  176 

A  Cuban  Air  Plant 41  176 

A  Group  of  Giant  Timber  Bamboos 42  176 


INTRODUCTION. 

In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Florida  Horticultural  Society  for 
1912  there  was  published  a  paper  by  the  writer  entitled  "Orna- 
mental Plants  of  Dade  County,  Florida,"  giving  some  account 
of  the  native  and  exotic  plants  of  the  region  which  it  covered. 
On  account  of  the  fact  that  no  separates  of  this  were  printed  an 
illustrated  edition  was  published  later  which  met  with  consid- 
erable favor  from  plant  growers  and  lovers  in  general.  The 
suggestion  has  frequently  been  made  to  the  author  that  he  write 
something  more  extended  and  the  following  pages  are  the  result. 

Florida,  especially  the  southern  part  of  it,  is  really  so  new  that 
we  know  but  little  as  to  what  we  can  or  can  not  do  in  the  matter 
of  growing  ornamental  plants,  or  making  and  decorating  homes 
within  its  borders.  The  writer  has  had  over  thirteen  years  of 
experience  in  cultivating  plants  in  Dade  County  and  four  in 
Manatee  County  and  yet  he  feels  that  he  is  not  competent  to 
teach.  Many  things  that  he  once  supposed  he  had  learned  he 
has  later  been  compelled  to  unlearn,  and  every  day  new  problems 
are  coming  up  which  must  be  solved,  problems  for  which  the 
books  on  gardening  give  no  help  whatever.  This  little  work  is 
written,  then,  more  as  a  set  of  suggestions  than  of  instructions. 
I  said  in  my  paper  on  Dade  County  plants  that  it  was  a  sort  of 
first  aid,  and  the  same  remark  may  be  applied  to  this. 

We  can  scarcely  form  the  faintest  conception  of  the  enormous 
number  of  useful  and  ornamental  trees  and  plants  from  the 
warmer  parts  of  the  world  which  will  grow  within  the  limits  of 
this  state.  The  veteran  botanist  and  explorer,  Richard  Spruce, 
who  spent  fifteen  years  in  the  equatorial  regions  of  South  America 
in  search  for  new  plants  (1849-1864)  in  a  letter  to  George  Ben- 
tham  says: — "I  have  lately  been  calculating  the  number  of 
species  that  yet  remain  to  be  discovered  in  the  great  Amazonian 
forest,  from  the  cataracts  of  the  Orinoco  to  the  mountains  of 
Matto  Grosso;  taking  the  fact  that  by  moving  away  a  degree  of 
latitude  or  longitude  I  found  about  half  the  plants  different  as  a 
basis,  and  considering  what  very  narrow  strips  we  have  up  to 


x  INTRODUCTION 

this  day  actually  explored,  and  that  often  very  inadequately,  by 
Humboldt,  Martius,  myself  and  others,  there  should  still  remain 
some  50,000  or  even  80,000  species  undiscovered." 

That  was  in  1864,  and  only  a  few  of  these  new  things  have 
since  been  introduced.  Think,  then,  of  the  enormous  number 
yet  to  come  from  the  warmer  regions  of  the  earth,  that  will 
flourish  here  and  help  to  beautify  the  gardens  and  homes  of  our 
state.  Hundreds  of  new  things  are  coming  in  every  year  and  in 
many  cases  we  receive  almost  no  information  with  them.  We 
learn  nothing  of  their  habitats,  whether  they  are  trees,  shrubs 
or  vines,  nor  anything  of  the  treatment  they  need.  Is  it  any 
wonder  that  much  of  our  gardening  is  merely  an  experiment, 
that  we  lose  a  large  number  of  our  finest  plants  because  we  do 
not  know  how  to  give  them  proper  treatment? 

Indeed,  for  that  matter,  we  scarcely  know  more  of  a  great 
number  of  plants  which-are  described  in  standard  works  on  gar- 
dening and  are  offered  for  sale  by  nurserymen.  The  grower  here 
must  very  often  find  these  things  out  by  his  own,  often  bitter, 
experience.  He  constantly  finds  himself  planting  things  in  the 
wrong  places,  in  improper  soil,  with  wrong  conditions  of  light 
and  shade  and  moisture;  what  he  gives  them  for  fertilizer  may 
be  poison,  and  what  he  intends  for  the  kindest  treatment  may 
ruin  them.  It  will  sometimes  happen  that  he  will  have  plants 
for  years  which  do  no  good  under  various  kinds  of  treatment 
that  with  something  still  different  begin  to  flourish.  Again  and 
again  I  have  tried  plants  under  different  conditions,  losing  one 
after  another  until  I  concluded  they  were  not  adapted  and  could 
not  be  grown  here.  Then,  perhaps,  I  would  see  the  same  thing 
growing  for  others  like  the  proverbial  green  bay  tree,  and  after 
a  trial  under  the  right  conditions  it  would  succeed  with  me. 

It  seems  to  be  reasonable,  then,  that  if  any  one  here  has  had 
any  considerable  experience  in  growing  ornamentals  in  Florida 
his  knowledge,  his  successes  and  failures  must  be  of  some  value 
if  given  to  others  who  have  had  little  or  no  opportunities  along 
such  lines,  but  who  want  to  grow  plants.  This  little  work  is  in 
no  sense  whatever  a  manual  of  gardening  or  an  encyclopedia  of 
plants.  Any  one  who  has  an  extensive  collection,  or  who  culti- 
vates on  a  large  scale,  should  by  all  means  have  one  or  more 


INTRODUCTION  xi 

such  works.  Even  the  small  grower  will  find  it  to  his  advantage 
to  have  some  of  these  books  which  will  help,  at  least,  in  identify- 
ing the  things  that  are  unknown  to  him.  I  have  written  this  for 
Florida  where  our  conditions  are  peculiar,  and,  as  a  general 
proposition,  it  would  be  of  little  value  elsewhere.  The  plants  of 
the  warmer  regions  which  are  cultivated  in  the  north  are  usually 
grown  in  rooms  or  glass  houses,  mostly  with  artificial  heat,  and 
they  are  often  bedded  out  in  the  summer  in  the  open  ground. 
As  a  consequence  they  are  usually  dwarfed  and  do  not  have  the 
vigor  or  attain  the  size  that  they  do  in  Florida. 

This  work  covers  a  somewhat  wider  field  than  mere  ornamental 
gardening;  it  is  intended  to  discuss  in  a  general  way  the  decora- 
tion and  beautifying  of  homes  and  grounds  in  our  territory.  I 
have  as  far  as  possible  endeavored  to  give  some  idea  of  the  com- 
parative hardiness  or  tenderness  of  the  plants  discussed.  Those 
which  I  have  mentioned  as  being  suitable  for  cultivation  in  the 
extreme  lower  part  of  the  state  will  generally  be  too  tender  to 
grow  much  north  of  that  region.  Usually,  though  not  always, 
where  it  is  stated  that  plants  come  from  the  tropics  they  are 
quite  tender.  Most  things  which  are  hardy  in  the  northern  part 
of  Florida  will  flourish  down  two-thirds  of  the  length  of  the  state, 
but  comparatively  few  of  them  will  succeed  at  the  extreme  lower 
end  of  it. 

In  some  cases  it  is  quite  probable  that  errors  have  been  made 
in  identifying  species,  as  I  have  not  had  access  to  extensive 
libraries  or  herbaria.  Many  of  the  descriptions  in  the  botanies 
and  encyclopedias  are  so  brief,  so  vague  and  misleading  that  it 
is  absolutely  impossible  for  any  one  with  ordinary  intelligence 
to  make  anything  out  of  them.  These  descriptions,  often  con- 
taining not  over  fifteen  or  twenty  words,  are  as  dry  as  the  moral 
law,  appearing  as  though  their  author  had  put  his  data  into  a 
hopper,  turned  the  crank  and  ground  the  thing  out,  there  being 
no  remarks  or  comparison  with  other  species.  Even  expert 
botanists  with  whom  I  have  worked  complain  that  they  can 
make  out  nothing  with  certainty  from  such  descriptions. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  the  matter  of  this  little  work  will  be 
found  to  be  rather  fragmentary  and  disjointed  as  it  has  been 
written,  for  the  most  part,  a  few  minutes  at  a  time  during  rests 


xii  INTRODUCTION 

from  the  work  of  hoeing,  wheeling  muck,  digging  and  attending 
to  my  garden. 

My  experience  in  gardening  in  Florida  is  confined  to  the  lower 
part  of  the  peninsula.  In  order  to  form  some  idea  of  what 
could  and  what  could  not  be  grown  in  different  parts  of  the  state 
I  sent  lists  of  plants  to  several  growers  of  large  experience  in 
various  places,  asking  them  to  mark  such  as  had  succeeded  or 
failed  and  to  give  other  data,  also  to  add  additional  species  to 
the  lists  and  their  knowledge  of  how  they  had  done.  Mr.  Frank 
MacLaren  of  Fernandina,  Mr.  John  Schnabel  of  Gainesville, 
Mr.  C.  E.  Pleas  of  Chipley,  Mr.  E.  N.  Reasoner  of  the  Royal 
Palm  Nursery  at  Oneco,  Prof.  H.  Nehrling  of  Gotha  and  Mrs. 
Marian  McAdow  of  Punta  Gorda  have  rendered  the  greatest 
assistance  in  this  way.  I  have  visited  a  large  number  of  places 
scattered  throughout  the  state  and  made  notes  on  the  cultivated 
ornamentals  and  asked  questions.  Mr.  Charles  Mosier  of  Little 
River  has  given  me  great  help  on  the  chapter  on  insects  and 
plant  diseases. 

I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Charles  Deering  who  is  developing  a 
wonderful  garden  here,  to  Mr.  David  Fairchild  and  Mr.  Wil- 
son Popenoe  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture, 
and  to  Mr.  Paul  Popenoe  of  the  American  Genetic  Association, 
for  great  and  repeated  favors  and  help  in  getting  up  this  little 
work. 

The  American  Photograph  Company  of  Havana,  Cuba,  has 
kindly  permitted  me  to  use  the  picture  of  the  Cuban  highway, 
the  splendid  group  of  royal  palms,  and  the  great  bamboos  over- 
looking the  water. 

The  chapters  "In  The  Hammock"  and  "A  Midsummer  Morn- 
ing at  The  Sentinels"  were  published  in  the  Tropic  Magazine. 
While  they  do  not  strictly  pertain  to  gardening  they  set  forth 
the  beauties  of  an  ornamental  home  in  Florida. 

There  are  100,000,000  people  in  the  United  States  today,  and 
this  number  may  be  doubled  within  the  lifetime  of  many  of  those 
who  will  read  this  little  treatise.  The  wealth  of  the  country  is 
increasing  at  a  remarkably  rapid  rate.  A  constantly  augmenting 
number  of  people  are  coming  to  Florida  each  year  to  spend  their 
winters  or  to  make  permanent  homes.  It  is  becoming  a  rich 


INTRODUCTION  xiii 

man's  playground,  a  land  of  attractive  winter  homes  for  people 
in  moderate  circumstances  and  a  refuge  for  thousands  who  are 
suffering  from  various  ills  of  the  flesh.  I  can  look  forward  with 
full  confidence  to  a  time  in  the  near  future  when  a  large  area 
within  the  territory  covered  in  this  work  will  be  girdled  with  the 
finest  of  roads  bordered  with  beautiful  tropical  and  semi-tropical 
shade  trees;  I  can  see  the  land  filled  with  happy  homes  shaded 
and  embowered  with  the  glorious  vegetation  of  the  equatorial 
regions,  a  land  of  peace  and  contentment,  a  land  of  hope,  of  rest 
for  the  weary,  a  land  of  perennial  verdure  and  fadeless  beauty. 


LAYING   OUT   GROUNDS  AND  CLEARING  LAND. 

Any  one  reading  the  title  of  this  chapter  might  think  that  I 
had  put  the  cart  before  the  horse,  but  I  feel  satisfied  that  the 
two  headings  have  been  placed  in  their  proper  sequence.  It  is 
customary  in  Florida  when  making  ready  to  build  a  home  to 
clear  out  all  or  nearly  all  the  vegetation  on  the  land  and  then 
plan  for  roads,  paths  and  general  planting.  I  believe  it  to  be 
the  part  of  wisdom  to  carefully  study  one's  land  and  location 
from  every  direction  for  a  considerable  time,  if  possible,  before 
beginning  the  labor  of  clearing.  One  should  know  his  land  as  a 
pilot  knows  his  river  before  commencing  work  and  he  should 
have  a  tolerably  clear  idea  of  what  he  wants  to  do. 

It  is  an  excellent  plan  to  construct  a  light,  cheap,  portable 
frame  or  scaffold  so  that  one  can  get  up  on  it  to  a  height  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  feet  above  the  ground  level.  This  may  be 
built  of  i  x  3  strips,  with  cross  pieces  and  braces  and  pieces 
nailed  on  for  steps,  so  that  one  can  mount  to  the  top  of  it.  It 
can  be  set  where  one  thinks  of  placing  his  house  and  from  the, 
top  of  it  he  can  form  an  idea  of  what  kind  of  views  he  will  have 
from  his  windows.  Two  men  should  carry  it  about  and  by  its 
aid  one  can  form  a  far  better  idea  of  the  lie  of  his  land,  of  what 
will  make  a  fine  vista  and  what  is  likely  to  be  unsightly,  than 
he  could  at  ground  level. 

If  convenient,  the  site  chosen  for  the  dwelling  should  be  on  a 
slight  elevation;  certainly  it  should  not  be  in  a  depression,  and 
if  one  is  compelled  to  locate  in  such  a  place  the  house  should,  by 
all  means,  be  set  up  high  enough  so  that  the  surface  may  be 
filled  in  to  a  level.  If  there  are  unsightly  objects  in  the  view  it 
should  be  so  placed  that  they  may  be  screened  out  by  plantings 
of  quick  growing  trees.  If  there  are  fine  views  set  the  building 
so  that  they  may  be  seen  from  the  windows.  It  will  be  found 
well  worth  while  in  many  cases  to  devote  considerable  time 
and  study  to  the  selection  of  the  site,  for  a  mistake  made  in  this 
matter  cannot  be  remedied. 

Most  of  the  homes  in  Florida  must  be  located  on  pine  land, 


2  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

as  there  is  comparatively  little  hammock  in  the  state.  It  is 
getting  to  be  the  fashion  nowadays,  and  a  good  fashion  it  is,  to 
leave  standing  all  the  clean,  healthy  pine  trees.  They  shade 
the  ground  to  some  extent  and  furnish  some  shelter,  and  they 
blend  fairly  well  with  the  planted  vegetation.  They  do  not 
rob  the  ground  of  fertility  to  any  great  extent,  and  they  relieve 
the  place  from  the  dreadful  appearance  of  bleakness  and  naked- 
ness it  would  have  if  everything  was  cut  away.  I  consider  it  an 
excellent  idea  to  preserve  the  young  pines  and  a  goodly  number 
of  the  scrub  palmettos.  They  furnish  an  admirable  shelter  for 
the  young  and  tender  plants  which  the  home  builder  puts  out. 
They  break  the  force  of  winds,  they  are  some  protection  from 
frost  and  if  the  little  things  are  frostbitten  they  keep  the  sun 
from  striking  them  early  in  the  morning,  at  the  time  when  its 
effects  are  deadly.  The  saw  palmetto  grows  over  almost  the 
whole  state,  and  from  middle  Florida  southward  a  dwarf  cabbage 
palmetto  is  mixed  with  it.  In  the  Biscayne  Bay  region  there 
flourishes,  especially  on  the  rocky  ridges,  a  lovely  small  silver 
palm  (Coccothrinax  garberi).  In  many  places  in  the  northern  half 
of  the  state  is  found  a  dwarf  Sabal  (S.  adansoni)  and  the  beau- 
tiful Porcupine  Palm  (Rhapidophyllum  hystrix).  All  of  these 
will  flourish  when  the  thick  scrub  is  cleared  away  from  about 
them,  even  without  fertilizer,  and  if  given  a  little  care  they  all 
make  fine  ornamentals.  Any  of  them  can  easily  be  cleared  away 
at  any  time  when  the  planted  vegetation  has  attained  some  size. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  state  the  hammocks  consist  of 
live  oak  and  one  or  more  other  oaks,  hickory,  red  bay,  liquid- 
ambar,  cabbage  palmettos  and  a  few  other  species  of  trees  and 
shrubs.  In  a  few  places  some  of  the  more  northern  vegetation 
is  found  such  as  elms,  maples,  walnuts  and  the  like.  As  we  go 
southward  most  of  these  drop  out  and  are  replaced  by  a  great 
variety  of  tropical  trees,  so  that  by  the  time  the  extreme  southern 
end  of  the  mainland  and  lower  keys  is  reached  practically  every- 
thing belongs  to  the  torrid  zone,  the  species  being  almost  without 
exception  those  which  have  their  metropolis  in  the  West  Indies 
and  the  Spanish  Main. 

No  word  picture  can  give  the  faintest  idea  of  the  bewildering 
beauty  of  many  of  these  hammocks,  especially  those  of  the 


IN  FLORIDA  3 

warmer  parts  of  the  state.  The  live  oaks  and  some  other  trees 
are  draped  with  wonderful  festoons  of  long  moss,  the  strange  and 
startling  cabbage  palmettos  are  in  evidence  everywhere,  wild 
coffee  and  other  handsome  shining  leaved  shrubs  carpet  the 
ground,  and  an  orgy  of  vines  and  creepers  sprawl  and  clamber 
over  all.  The  trees  are  veritable  air  gardens,  being  loaded  to  the 
breaking  point  with  epiphytic  orchids,  Tillandsias,  Peperomias, 
Guzmannias,  Catopsis  and  a  variety  of  beautiful  ferns. 

I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  persuade  my  readers  who  come 
into  possession  of  such  land  to  leave  this  glorious  vegetation 
just  as  nature  has  created  it.  The  small  remnant  of  this  un- 
touched beauty  is  fast  disappearing  before  the  settler's  fire  and 
ax  and  especially  before  the  real  estate  man.  Mankind  every- 
where has  an  insane  desire  to  waste  and  destroy  the  good  and 
beautiful  things  that  nature  has  lavished  upon  him. 

Several  years  ago  a  man  from  the  North  spent  a  winter  near 
my  home  and  was  a  frequent  visitor  in  my  hammock.  He 
claimed  to  be  a  lover  of  nature  but  he  wrote  atrocious  doggerel 
poetry,  and  what  was  worse,  he  insisted  on  inflicting  it  on  me. 
One  day  he  dragged  me  to  a  seat  in  the  hammock  and  read  me  one 
of  these  effusions  containing  some  fifty  or  sixty  stanzas  and  then 
looking  around  he  said:  "Do  you  know  what  I  would  do  with 
this  timber  if  I  had  it?"  and  when  I  gave  it  up  he  said:  "If  this 
was  mine  I  would  take  my  ax  and  chop  out  all  the  underbrush  and 
all  the  crooked  and  little  trees,  and  I'd  clean  out  all  those  gnarly 
oaks  that  is  layin'  round  and  I'd  pull  off  that  long  moss  an*  all 
that  rubbish  that's  growin'  on  them  trees  and  then  it  would  look 
as  tho'  somebody  had  been  here  and  done  something  for  it." 
Sure  enough,  that  is  just  what  the  average  person  seems  to  be 
crazy  to  do,  he  wants  to  clean  up,  to  improve,  to  let  people  know 
that  he  has  been  there  and  with  his  wisdom  has  fixed  things  and 
made  them  "look  purty." 

It  seems  to  be  an  instinct  among  humans  to  want  to  mutilate, 
cut  down  and  destroy  trees.  Sir  James  Brooke  tells  how  the 
lazy  natives  of  Borneo  cut  down  and  burn  up  new  tracts  of 
beautiful  virgin  forest  with  an  outlay  of  an  immense  amount  of 
labor,  in  preference  to  working  the  land  they  already  have  cleared, 
though  of  course  the  new  land  is  full  of  roots  and  stumps. 
2 


4  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Here  in  South  Florida  we  have  a  lot  of  men  who  buy  up  land, 
clear  off  the  vegetation,  lay  it  out  into  lots  and  sell  it.  It  seems 
to  be  their  especial  delight  to  get  hold  of  hammock,  put  in  a  gang 
of  ignorant  Negroes,  and  utterly  destroy  the  beautiful  growth  that 
it  has  taken  centuries  to  create. 

If  you  are  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  a  piece  of  virgin  ham- 
mock, let  it  alone  for  a  time;  study  it  carefully  and  learn  its 
beauties,  learn  to  love  and  fully  appreciate  it,  find  out  all  the 
objects  of  interest  in  it  and  when  you  are  fully  acquainted  with 
its  weird  attractions  a  path  or  paths  may  be  carefully  cut  through 
it  to  whatever  is  of  most  interest,  always  leading  these  trails 
along  the  lines  of  least  resistance.  As  a  general  thing  no  large 
or  valuable  trees  need  be  removed,  and  abrupt  turns  are  allow- 
able. The  walk  may  be  carried  far  enough  in  from  the  border 
of  the  wood  so  that  one  cannot  see  out  and  yet  far  enough  away 
from  any  of  its  turnings  or  reaches  that  it  will  be  impossible  to 
see  across  to  it.  In  this  way  it  will  make  the  hammock  appear 
to  be  much  larger  than  it  really  is. 

There  should  be  an  open  space  left  in  front  of  the  house  for 
a  lawn  or  grass  plot.  Even  if  one  has  only  a  good  sized  lot  it 
seems  to  me  to  be  better  taste  to  lay  out  a  small  area  to  be 
planted  in  grass  than  to  fill  up  the  whole  with  trees  and  shrubs. 
Leave  it  all  free  and  open;  do  not  disfigure  it  by  putting  beds 
of  plants  or  shrubs  in  it.  Its  border  does  not  need  to  be  regular ; 
in  this  one  may  well  imitate  nature,  and  nature  doesn't  make 
straight  rows  or  borders.  Keep  the  roads  and  paths  away  from 
the  center  of  the  lawn;  in  fact  let  it  be  an  uninterrupted  sheet 
of  grass  if  possible. 

Whatever  is  done  in  the  way  of  laying  out  a  place  should  be 
honest  and  sincere;  there  should  be  no  shams,  no  shallow  trickery. 
One  should  remember  that  he  is  doing  work  for  a  lifetime ;  if  it  is 
to  be  his  home  he  will  have  to  live  with  it ;  it  will  be  his  constant 
companion  year  by  year.  It  is  wise  then  to  give  to  such  a  task 
plenty  of  time  and  the  very  best  that  is  within  him.  Of  course 
if  one  has  an  extensive  tract  it  may  be  best  to  consult  a  land- 
scape gardener,  but  it  seems  to  me  that  in  a  majority  of  cases 
where  there  is  only  a  limited  area  it  is  best  for  one  to  find  out 
what  he  wants,  study  carefully  the  situation  and  work  out  a 
plan  himself. 


FORMAL  OR   GEOMETRIC   GARDENING. 

Formal  gardening  is  a  sort  of  compromise  between  natural 
gardening  and  architecture.  As  I  am  not  an  architect  I  scarcely 
feel  competent  to  discuss  the  subject.  Edward  Kemp,  a  cele- 
brated English  gardener,  speaks  of  it  in  this  manner, — "Doubt- 
less the  geometrical  style  is  that  which  an  architect  would  most 
naturally  prefer;  for  it  subordinates  everything  to  the  house, 
and  is  a  carrying  out  of  the  principles  common  to  both  itself 
and  architecture.  A  series  of  straight  lines,  joining  one  another 
at  right  angles,  and  of  beds  in  which  some  form  of  a  circle  or  a 
parallelogram  is  always  apparent,  or  which  fit  into  any  regular 
figure,  are,  as  just  before  remarked,  the  leading  and  most  expres- 
sive features  of  this  style.  Flights  of  steps,  balustraded  walls, 
terrace  banks,  symmetry  and  correspondence  of  parts,  circles, 
ovals,  oblong  and  angular  beds,  exotic  forms  of  vegetation,  raised 
platforms  and  sunken  panels  are  some  of  the  materials  with  which 
it  deals." 

The  formal  style  of  gardening  is  adapted  to  the  grounds  of 
public  buildings,  especially  those  of  classic  design,  and  to  small 
places  where  there  is  not  room  to  produce  any  general  landscape 
effect,  such  as  homes  in  cities  and  towns.  In  all  cases  the  archi- 
tectural idea  is  dominant  and  the  vegetation  is  more  or  less  sub- 
servient. 

Where  the  dwelling  or  public  building  is  large  a  terrace  is  often 
made  which  may  entirely  surround  it ;  at  least  it  should  do  so  at 
the  front  and  sides.  This  may  be  of  considerable  width;  it  can 
join  the  level  of  the  grounds  by  a  sharp  slope  of  turf  or  by  a  para- 
pet or  wall,  and  in  elaborate  designs  this  is  usually  surmounted 
by  a  balustrade.  This  parapet  and  balustrade  should  be  made 
of  stone  or  concrete,  as  wood  is  too  cheap-looking  for  such  a  place 
and  it  decays  too  soon.  The  terrace  may  be  wide  enough  so 
that  beds  of  low  growing  ornamental  plants  can  be  put  out  in  it, 
or  the  whole  may  be  closely  cropped  lawn. 

Usually  the  approach  to  the  main  building  is  broad  and 
straight;  the  grounds  are  laid  out  in  squares,  parallelograms, 

5 


6  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

circles  or  ellipses;  in  short,  in  strictly  geometrical  designs.  Ordi- 
narily the  design  on  the  one  side  of  the  approach  is  exactly  like 
that  on  the  other. 

The  walks  are  highly  finished  and  often  bordered  with  some 
kind  of  low  growing  plant ;  sometimes  merely  with  close  cropped 
turf.  In  some  cases  low  hedges  border  the  walks.  In  the  cooler 
part  of  Florida  the  different  forms  of  box  or  the  privets  will  be 
found  useful  for  such  purposes;  farther  south  the  Alternantheras 
will  make  fine  borders  and  Phyllanihus  nivosus  will  produce  admi- 
rable hedges.  The  Acalyphas  make  attractive  hedges  in  the 
most  tropical  part  of  the  state. 

In  some  cases  the  main  figure  in  a  geometrical  garden  may  be 
made  in  the  form  of  a  large  square  or  parallelogram ;  the  ends  or 
corners  can  be  rounded  or  square.  Around  this  design  a  broad 
path  or  roadway  is  made  and  the  main  pattern  can  either  be  left 
entire  or  subdivided  by  narrower  walks.  Often  this  main  design 
is  wholly  or  in  part  sunk  below  the  level  of  the  main  surrounding 
walk,  as  if  it  were  a  picture  set  within  a  frame.  This  central 
part  may  be  wholly  of  closely  cut  lawn,  or  it  may  have  one  or 
more  fountains  or  choice  pieces  of  statuary  or  a  few  neat  beds  of 
low  growing  plants.  Around  its  border  there  might  be  planted 
formal  looking  large  plants  or  even  trees  in  case  the  design  is  a  large 
one.  Such  things  as  Phoenix  canariensis,  P.  dactylifera,  Cycas 
of  different  species,  Yuccas,  Dioon,  in  fact  most  of  the  Cycads, 
some  of  the  Dracaenas,  Cordyline  indivisa  and  C.  australis  and  a 
number  of  other  formal  looking  plants  will  look  well  in  such 
situations  if  kept  in  good  shape.  This  large  central  design  may 
be  located  immediately  in  front  of  the  central  structure  or  at 
one  side  of  it. 

Outside  of  the  broad  path  or  roadway  between  it  and  the  wall 
enclosing  the  whole  a  wide  border  may  be  planted.  This  should 
consist  of  low  growing  stuff  nearest  the  walk;  farther  back  larger 
growers  may  be  put  in  and  the  back  part  or  outside  of  the  plant- 
ing can  be  moderate  sized  trees.  This  outer  border  need  not 
be  kept  in  such  regularity  as  is  the  inner  part.  In  fact  the  growth 
in  it  may  be  allowed  to  become  somewhat  irregular. 

Sometimes  the  owner  of  a  large  place  which  has  been  planted 
in  the  natural  way  may  want  a  piece  of  formal  garden,  a  flower 


IN  FLORIDA  7 

garden  perchance.  This  can  be  placed  to  one  side  and  screened 
off  from  the  more  natural  part  by  a  wide  border  of  planting,  irreg- 
ular on  the  outside  and  more  evenly  finished  on  the  inside. 

One  of  the  fine  examples  of  geometrical  gardening  is  the  grounds 
of  the  Casino  at  Monte  Carlo,  France.  The  garden  at  Mount 
Vernon,  the  former  home  of  Washington,  is  an  example  in  our 
own  country  of  the  old-fashioned  formal  style  of  gardening.  In 
it  are  closely  sheared  hedges,  some  of  them  straight,  others  made 
into  a  variety  of  more  or  less  intricate  patterns. 

It  may  be  well  for  those  who  have  only  a  city  or  town  lot  to  adopt 
the  formal  style  of  decoration  in  a  greater  or  less  degree.  The 
front  walk  had  best  run  from  the  main  entrance  to  the  road  or 
street  and  at  right  angles  with  the  house.  If  desired  some  kind 
of  geometric  design  could  be  made  on  each  side  of  it,  either  in  the 
way  of  plant  beds  or  a  simple  affair  bordered  with  some  such 
thing  as  Alternanthera,  Alyssum,  Echeveria  or  box. 

To  my  mind  the  specimens  of  sheared  trees  and  shrubs  which 
we  sometimes  see  in  formal  grounds  are  simply  monstrosities. 
They  certainly  do  not  represent  nature  and  they  are  atrocities 
as  art.  It  may  be  allowable  sometimes  to  shear  a  couple  of 
trees  or  shrubs  at  the  entrance  of  a  formal  garden  so  that  with 
training  they  will  form  an  arch,  but  what  beauty  or  sense  is  there 
in  mutilating  with  the  shears  an  acre  or  more  of  trees  as  is  seen 
in  some  of  the  so-called  Italian  gardens? 

Remember  that  whatever  is  attempted  in  formal  gardening 
should  be  honest.  Unless  one  is  a  master  at  designing  the  plan 
had  better  be  simple,  and  simplicity  often  marks  the  work  of  a 
great  designer.  The  geometrical  garden  is  a  picture  and  the 
picture  should  represent  something;  it  should  not  be  spoiled  by 
frivolities  and  absurdities. 


MAKING  A  HOME  IN  FLORIDA. 

There  is  a  class  of  people  that  comes  down  to  Florida  merely 
to  escape  from  the  cold  and  discomforts  of  winter.  Whatever 
there  may  be  of  beauty  here  does  not  seem  to  appeal  to  such,  or 
only  in  a  small  degree.  They  arrive  in  November  or  December 
and  after  spending  a  winter  or  two  here  they  buy  a  piece  of  land 
and  build.  After  completely  clearing  out  all  the  native  vegeta- 
tion from  the  land  they  put  up  a  cheap  and  nasty  house  of  hide- 
ous design,— I  say  design,  because  their  builders  appear  to  have 
deliberately  intended  to  make  them  unattractive.  The  final 
touch  is  perhaps  added  to  the  pile  in  the  shape  of  a  paper  roof. 
Almost  any  kind  of  a  shelter  seems  to  be  good  enough,— though 
probably  their  owners  are  abundantly  able  to  build  decently, — 
and  in  this  they  remain  until  March  or  April  and  then  flit  north, 
leaving  the  place  to  look  out  for  itself,  to  grow  up  with  the  vilest 
weeds  which  spread  their  seeds  over  the  land  of  those  who  remain 
here. 

I  am  not  attempting  to  cast  any  slur  on  the  tourist  or  winter 
resident  in  general.  There  are  thousands  of  such  who  are 
charmed  with  the  beauty  of  Florida,  who  fully  appreciate  its 
splendid  climate  and  who  are  ready  to  join  in  any  move  to  up- 
build it  and  advance  its  interests.  Neither  am  I  wishing  to 
say  anything  disrespectful  about  those  who  haven't  the  means 
to  build  expensive  places.  It  is  easily  possible  at  a  cost  of  seventy- 
five  or  a  hundred  dollars  to  construct  of  rough  boards  a  house 
that  will  be  attractive,  and  to  surround  it  in  a  short  time  with 
inexpensive  trees  and  plants  in  such  a  way  that  the  whole  will 
be  a  veritable  bit  of  paradise.  I  am  simply  berating  in  my 
gentle  way  the  man  or  woman  who  merely  comes  here  for  phys- 
ical comfort,  who  cares  nothing  for  the  welfare  of  the  state  or 
its  people,  whose  eyes  are  blind  to  beauty,  whose  ears  are  deaf 
to  progress  and  the  general  welfare. 

There  are  many  thousands  in  the  states  to  the  north  of  us 
who  are  honest,  willing  to  learn,  energetic,  who  come  here  and 
are  ready  to  help  on  with  the  glorious  work  of  making  Florida 

9 


10  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

a  beauty  spot,  and  at  the  same  time  make  for  themselves  pretty 
homes.  It  doesn't  require  much  to  make  an  attractive  home; 
many  a  man  wastes  a  hundred  thousand  on  buildings  and  grounds 
which,  in  the  end,  are  perfectly  hideous.  A  little  taste,  a  little 
good  sense  and  judgment  and  a  small  amount  of  careful  study 
will  go  a  long  way  farther  towards  making  an  attractive  home 
than  a  large  sum  of  money  without  them.  I  think  it  is  far  better 
even  to  servilely  copy  after  that  which  is  beautiful  than  to  orig- 
inate that  which  is  ugly.  If  you  cannot  design  a  tasteful  house 
and  grounds  take  your  time  and  look  around:  in  every  neigh- 
borhood some  one  will  be  pretty  sure  to  have  an  attractive  home. 
Talk  with  the  owners  of  such  places,  ask  for  suggestions.  I  am 
sure  that  almost  any  one  in  Florida  with  such  a  place  would  be 
willing  to  help  others  who  are  to  be  their  neighbors  to  make  nice 
homes.  No  one  of  taste  wants  a  monstrosity  of  a  house  or 
grounds  near  him;  therefore  as  a  matter  of  self-defense  he  will 
be  willing  to  help  a  newcomer  in  such  matters. 

Don't  undertake  to  do  too  much;  let  the  house  be  simple  and 
adapted  to  the  climate  and  surroundings;  let  your  work  outside 
be  for  a  purpose.  Don't  make  serpentine  walks  or  drives  merely 
in  order  to  imitate  the  crawling  of  a  snake.  Every  curve  should 
be  for  a  reason  and  a  reasonable  directness  is  best  in  all  walks 
that  are  much  frequented,  in  other  words,  business  walks. 

There  are  several  grasses  that  make  good  lawns  here;  the  St. 
Lucie  grass,  a  variety  of  the  Bermuda  grass  which  does  not  pro- 
duce underground  runners;  the  St.  Augustine  grass,  which  is  a 
strong  grower,  and  some  others  make  good  covering.*  In  my 
own  lawn,  if  I  can  call  it  that,  I  let  the  native  grasses  and  her- 
baceous plants  grow  at  first,  thinking  to  plant  St.  Lucie  grass  later. 
I  cut  this  growth  down  once  or  twice  a  year  and  now  I  have  be- 
come so  attached  to  these  beautiful  and  interesting  plants  that 
I  have  not  the  heart  to  destroy  them.  They  make  an  open  space 
in  front  of  my  home  and  I  botanize  out  there  and  enjoy  them  and, 
on  the  whole,  I  am  as  well  satisfied  as  if  I  had  a  smooth,  velvety 
turf. 

The  ground  for  a  lawn  or  grass  plat  should  be  cleared  of  roots 
or  rock  to  the  depth  of  half  a  foot  and  levelled;  then,  during  a 
wet  time  if  possible,  plant  pieces  of  grass  in  rows  a  foot  or  so 

*Zoysia  pungens,  recently  introduced,  is  a  beautiful  lawn  grass. 


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IN  FLORIDA  II 

apart;  water  well  and  when  the  ground  is  covered  it  should  be 
mowed. 

Of  course  every  one  making  a  home  in  Florida  is  anxious  to 
have  a  good  showing  from  his  plantings  as  soon  as  possible.  It 
is  a  fine  idea,  when  planting,  to  scatter  rapid  growing  trees  and 
shrubs  quite  freely  about  one's  grounds,  as  they  will  soon  make 
a  big  display.  Such  things  as  many  species  of  Ficus  (religiosa, 
nitida,  aurea,  populnea,  elastica  and  glomerata),  Paritium  elatum 
and  tiliaceum,  Albizzia  lebbek,  most  of  the  eucalypts,  Adenan- 
thera,  Terminated  catappa,  Delonix  regia,  Eriodendrons,  and 
Cassia  fistula  for  the  warmer  parts  of  the  state  and  Melia  azeda- 
rach  var.  umbraculiformis,  the  maples  and  oaks  for  the  cooler 
parts  of  Florida.  Among  the  palms  Cocos  in  variety,  most  of 
the  dates,  Archontophoenix,  the  Acrocomias,  the  Neowashing- 
tonias,  the  royal  palms  and  oil  palm  (Elaeis  guineensis)  grow  to 
good  size  very  quickly.  Eugenia  jambos,  Hibiscus  rosa-sinensis, 
Dombeyas,  Crape  myrtles,  the  Pittosporums,  the  Oleanders, 
Pandanus  sanderiana  and  veitchi  among  shrubs  and  herbaceous 
plants  soon  get  up  and  cover  the  ground  as  well  as  very  many 
other  things.  The  Giant  Bamboos,  Dendrocalamus  latiflorus  and 
D.  strictus  soon  make  very  effective  clumps. 

If  one  is  in  a  great  hurry  to  cover  his  ground  and  make  a  show- 
ing he  can  plant  the  cheapest  of  these  abundantly  at  first,  min- 
gling choicer  things  freely  among  them  and  later  he  can  cut  away 
the  commoner  things,  if  he  has  the  heart  to  do  it. 

The  settler  may,  perhaps,  buy  a  place  on  which  some  improve- 
ments have  already  been  made.  There  may  be  fruit  and  orna- 
mental plants  already  growing  and  buildings  erected.  This  has 
both  advantages  and  disadvantages.  It  is  a  fine  thing  to  have 
fruit  trees  bearing  or  under  way,  and  whatever  growth  ornamen- 
tals have  made  saves  time  in  getting  a  place  in  order.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  planting  may  be  badly  done  and  the  buildings 
are  likely  to  be  hideous  and  misplaced.  However,  one  can  gen- 
erally utilize  much  of  such  work  and  recreate  it  into  beauty  by 
taking  time  and  giving  the  subject  plenty  of  study.  Spare  all 
the  vegetation  that  is  possible,  remembering  that  one  can  destroy 
in  a  few  minutes  what  it  has  taken  nature  years  to  produce. 


12  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Plans  may  often  be  changed  so  as  to  leave  what  is  wrongly  placed 
to  grow  and  form  part  of  a  perfect  whole. 

Don't  plant  trees  in  rows  unless  they  are  put  along  a  straight 
road  or  path  and  never  under  any  circumstances  alternate  one 
species  with  another  in  a  row  along  a  road  or  anywhere  else.  It 
is  the  fashion  in  places  to  put  out  a  California  fan  palm  and  a 
Chinese  Hibiscus  or  a  Coconut  and  some  low  growing  shrub 
alternating  in  rows,  and  it  seems  to  me  that  no  greater  atrocity 
in  planting  can  be  perpetrated.  I  can  not  conceive  how  the  idea 
ever  originated  in  the  brain  of  any  human  being. 

In  laying  out  and  planting  a  place  of  any  considerable  size  it 
is  often  possible  to  make  a  vista,  a  view  of  some  pleasing  object 
at  a  distance  such  as  a  group  of  trees,  a  fine  building,  or  water. 
This  vista  may  be  cut  out  through  a  forest  or  made  by  judicious 
planting  of  trees  and  shrubbery.  Its  borders  should  be  irregu- 
lar and  of  varied  forms  and  foliage.  Such  views  may  open  out 
upon  a  landscape  that  stretches  for  miles  away  or  it  may  only 
extend  for  a  few  rods,  and  if  they  are  managed  right  they  will 
always  be  surprising  and  charming. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  one  encounters  many  draw- 
backs and  discouragements  in  laying  out  and  developing  a  home 
in  Florida  the  whole  process  is  a  delightful  one.  What  can  be 
pleasanter  than  daily  contriving  and  making  plans  for  buildings, 
walks  and  roads,  for  the  disposal  of  one's  trees  and  plants  so 
that  they  shall  produce  the  best  effects?  What  a  pleasure  it  is 
to  put  a  rustic  seat  here,  to  open  out  for,  or  so  to  plant  trees  that 
he  may  have  a  lovely  view  there.  Even  one's  mistakes  are  not 
so  bad  after  all  for  they  help  to  teach  him  useful  lessons.  What 
a  joy  it  is  to  watch  the  plants  grow  and  develop  under  one's  lov- 
ing care,  to  realize,  that,  as  the  years  roll  by  his  home  is  becom- 
ing more  and  more  beautiful,  more  and  more  a  part  and  parcel 
of  his  very  life. 


ARCHITECTURE. 

Strictly  speaking  architecture  and  ornamental  gardening  are 
two  very  different  things,  and  yet,  when  it  comes  to  making  a 
home,  especially  in  Florida,  the  two  are  likely  to  be  intimately 
connected.  I  believe  that  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  here  to 
devote  a  brief  chapter  to  the  subject. 

Robinson,  the  noted  English  gardener,  says,  "The  architect 
is  a  good  gardener  when  he  makes  a  beautiful  house."  And  I 
might  add  that  he  is  a  better  one  when  he  makes  a  house  which 
will  harmonize  with  what  are  to  be  its  surroundings.  The 
dwelling  and  all  other  buildings  that  are  at  all  conspicuous 
should  be  fitted  for  their  surroundings  as  well  as  for  the  purposes 
for  which  they  are  constructed. 

The  peculiarities  of  our  climate  and  environment  call  for 
peculiar  treatment  when  it  comes  to  the  construction  of  build- 
ings. In  thousands  of  cases  people  come  here  from  the  north 
and  put  up  just  such  structures  as  are  built  in  that  region.  A 
great  many  of  these  are  designed  by  northern  architects  who  have 
never  been  in  a  tropical  or  semi-tropical  country  and  who  know 
nothing  whatever  of  the  needs  of  such  a  region  as  Florida.  In 
other  cases  architects  come  here  and  bring  their  ideas  with  them 
and  turn  out  work  such  as  they  did  in  the  north  with  but  little 
modification. 

California  has  its  own  architecture,  the  Mission  style,  which 
is  used  here  to  a  considerable  extent ;  in  New  England  they  have 
the  Colonial  style,  which  is,  just  now,  all  the  rage  generally, 
even  in  Florida;  the  Italian  order  is  also  somewhat  used  here. 
None  of  these  is  just  fitted  for  our  climate  and  needs;  why 
shouldn't  we  have  a  Floridian  style  of  architecture? 

In  this  region  we  have  occasional  West  Indian  hurricanes, 
which  usually  occur  in  the  fall  and  they  are  almost  always  accom- 
panied by  a  very  heavy  fall  of  rain.  One  who  has  never  gone 
through  any  of  these  storms  can  not  have  the  faintest  idea  either 
of  the  fury  of  the  wind  or  the  power  and  penetrating  ability  of 
the  water.  A  house  as  ordinarily  constructed  at  the  north 

13 


14  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

would  be  completely  saturated  from  roof  to  basement  during 
one  of  these  storms.  Plaster  and  wall  paper  are  either  ruined 
or  seriously  injured,  and  the  contents  of  rooms  sure  to  be  badly 
damaged.  I  built  the  first  part  of  my  house  with  a  third  pitch 
roof  of  the  best  cypress  shingles  carefully  laid,  and  it  faced  to 
the  north  and  south.  During  a  severe  hurricane  the  wind  hauled 
to  the  northwest  and  I  am  sure  that  every  drop  of  rain  that 
struck  the  north  side  of  it  was  driven  by  the  force  of  the  wind 
up  through  the  shingles  and  into  the  building.  Good  close 
workmanship  is  absolutely  necessary,  tar  paper  under  shingles 
and  exposed  walls  is  excellent,  and  a  finish  of  wood  alone  for 
rooms,  or  some  material  that  will  not  be  injured  by  water. 

The  greater  part  of  Florida  is  very  flat,  especially  near  the 
coast.  If  one's  house  is  placed  down  near  the  level  of  the  ground 
it  is  impossible  to  get  a  view  out  over  the  surrounding  country. 
By  elevating  it  a  few  feet  a  much  better  outlook  is  obtained; 
if  it  is  raised  seven  or  eight  feet  so  much  the  better,  and  the  space 
beneath  can  be  utilized  for  workshop,  photographic  dark  room, 
bathroom  or  other  purposes.  Insects  are  far  less  troublesome 
in  a  house  so  built ;  there  is  not  one  mosquito  at  an  elevation  of 
ten  feet  where  there  are  a  dozen  at  ground  level.  It  is  probable 
that  a  house  thus  built  is  more  conducive  to  health  than  one 
placed  close  to  the  ground  and  there  is  far  less  danger  of  the 
dreaded  wood  fungi  which  attack  and  destroy  timber  at  or  near 
the  soil. 

There  are  probably  two  or  more  kinds  of  these  fungi  which 
attack  the  timber  houses  of  Florida.  They  work  in  posts  set 
in  the  earth  or  timbers  just  above  it,  slowly  creeping  into  the 
upper  structure,  sometimes  destroying  the  entire  house.  No 
wood  should  ever  be  placed  on  or  near  the  ground  in  the  con- 
struction of  any  building  in  Florida.  Concrete  is,  no  doubt, 
the  coming  material,  especially  for  the  warmer  part  of  the  state. 
In  the  southeastern  part  of  it  a  soft,  porous  limestone  rock  is 
abundant,  and  this  when  laid  up  in  a  wall  without  being  dressed 
is  very  attractive  and  durable.  Such  a  wall  properly  laid 
will  stand  against  any  hurricane  that  visits  this  region.  The 
upper  part  of  the  building  may  be  either  of  rock,  concrete  or 
wood. 


IN  FLORIDA  15 

In  the  temperate  zone  we  live  inside  our  houses  the  greater 
part  of  the  year;  in  Florida  we  live  mostly  outside  of  them. 
At  the  north  we  go  outside  and  use  the  porches  for  a  brief  time 
during  the  warm  season;  here  we  only  go  inside  to  eat  and  sleep, 
and  for  shelter  during  northers  or  severe  storms.  It  goes  without 
saying  then  that  a  dwelling  in  this  region  should  consist  largely 
of  verandas.  If  one  can  run  a  porch  entirely  around  his  house 
so  much  the  better;  it  will  make  a  delightful  place  to  walk  and 
look  out  over  his  garden.  With  such  an  arrangement  one  can 
always  have  a  chance  to  promenade  unless  the  weather  is  very 
boisterous.  I  love  to  walk  around  my  veranda  and  enjoy  my 
plants,  especially  by  moonlight  or  during  showers.  I  can  rejoice 
with  them  when  they  are  being  deluged  with  rain. 

Many  persons  in  Florida  screen  in  all  or  part  of  a  porch  and 
make  a  sun  parlor  of  it.  Such  a  room  is  a  delightful  place  in 
good  weather,  but  it  ought  to  be  furnished  with  heavy  roller 
curtains  which  can  be  tightly  closed  in  time  of  hard  storms. 
Such  screened  rooms  make  fine  places  to  sleep  in  and  are  all  the 
more  desirable  if  they  are  located  so  that  one  can  look  out  over 
attractive  grounds. 

If  possible  arrange  for  lovely  views  when  building  a  dwelling. 
Everything  of  beauty  on  the  place  or  in  the  immediate  neigh- 
borhood should  be  visible  from  the  windows  or  porches  if  that  is 
possible.  As  a  general  thing  the  house  should  be  simple  in  style 
and  an  excess  of  scroll  work  or  furbelows  of  every  description 
should  be  avoided.  It  is  true  that  there  are  elaborate  buildings 
which  are  finished  most  ornately  and  are  at  the  same  time  very 
beautiful;  the  great  cathedral  at  Milan,  which  Mark  Twain  has 
called  "  A  poem  in  stone"  is  an  example,  but  there  is  not  one  man 
in  a  million  who  can  design  such  a  structure,  and  there  are  thou- 
sands who  can  create  a  tasteful  simple  building  who  would  fail 
with  an  elaborate  one. 

I  have  introduced  an  illustration  of  my  own  house  which  I 
designed  and  built.  Some  of  the  best  architects  in  the  country 
have  pronounced  it  an  atrocity  and  I  present  it  to  my  readers 
in  order  that  they  may  know  what  an  atrocity  is  and  be  able 
to  distinguish  one  at  sight.  It  shows  some  of  the  ideas  I  have 
mentioned;  the  living  part  elevated  well  above  the  ground,  the 


16  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

wide,  encircling  veranda  or  gallery  as  it  is  often  called  in  South 
Florida  and  the  West  Indies,  and  the  rather  sharp  roof  which 
has  never  leaked  seriously  in  the  worst  hurricane.  Some  of  the 
ideas  embodied  in  it  have  been  taken  from  dwellings  in  Jamaica, 
Hawaii,  Haiti,  Cuba  and  the  Philippines;  others  are  my 
own,  and  it  is  not  like  anything  in  the  heavens  above,  the  earth 
beneath,  or  the  waters  under  the  earth. 

Nature  is  very  kind  in  this  land  of  warmth  and  sunshine, 
where  every  one  plants  trees,  shrubs  and  herbaceous  plants  in 
their  grounds  and  around  their  dwellings.  In  a  few  brief  years 
the  growing  vegetation  covers  up  and  hides  the  deformities  and 
mistakes  of  the  builder;  trees  screen  it  out  and  kindly  vines 
most  mercifully  spread  themselves  over  the  architectural  enor- 
mities that  man  has  perpetrated,  so  that  at  length  his  short- 
comings and  blunders  are  made  a  part  of  a  thing  of  beauty  and 
elegance. 


SOIL;  FERTILIZERS. 

Florida  is  not  only  a  new  country  so  far  as  development  and 
settlement  are  concerned  but  it  is  new  geologically.  No  strata 
are  known  within  its  borders  that  are  older  than  the  Tertiary, 
and  much  of  it  belongs  to  what  the  older  geologists  called  the 
Recent.  And  throughout  a  large  part  of  the  state  there  is  a 
sort  of  unfinished  appearance,  as  though  its  creation  had  been 
begun  late  in  the  week  and  Saturday  night  had  come  on  before 
it  was  done.  An  acquaintance  of  mine  from  Illinois  came  to  the 
west  coast  of  the  state  a  good  many  years  ago  and  was  very 
much  disappointed  and  in  his  disgust  he  declared  that  Florida 
possessed  "  A  soil  of  unsurpassed  sterility." 

I  have  often  thought  of  what  he  said  and  wished  that  the  state 
could  have  been  born  back  in  the  Silurian  or  Carboniferous 
epochs.  However,  those  who  have  come  here  to  make  their 
homes  find  that  with  proper  treatment  this  poor,  sandy  soil 
can  be  made  to  produce  wonderfully.  Some  time  away  back  in 
geological  history,  probably  when  most  of  what  now  forms  the 
state  was  under  the  sea,  the  sands  along  the  New  England  coast 
were  carried  southward  by  the  cold  return  current  of  the  Atlantic 
and  deposited  along  the  shores  of  the  southern  states  and  over 
the  greater  part  of  what  was  to  be  Florida.  This  sand  is  siliceous 
and  is  practically  destitute,  in  a  natural  state,  of  any  plant 
food  whatever.  It  has  been  worked  over,  to  some  extent,  by 
the  action  of  the  wind  and  sea. 

Shortly  after  the  elevation  of  this  sand  above  sea  level  the 
Georgia  Pine  (Pinus  palustyis)  began  to  invade  the  region  from 
the  north,  and  the  Caribbean  Pine  (Pinus  caribaea)  came,  most 
likely,  from  the  south,  the  seeds  having  been  carried  in  by  the 
Gulf  Stream. 

Quite  a  large  area  of  the  southeastern  part  of  the  state  is  com- 
posed of  soft,  mostly  oolitic  limestone  which  forms  the  rim  of 
the  Everglades.  The  rock  generally  comes  to  the  surface  and 
is  perforated  everywhere  with  pot-holes  which  are  filled  with 
sand.  The  lowlands  of  the  southern  part  of  the  state  are  com- 

17 


1 8  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

posed  largely  of  muck  or  marl,  though  in  some  places  they  are 
sandy.  Much  of  the  Everglades  is  rich,  deep  peat  or  muck, 
with  patches  of  sandy  soil  or  rock.  The  Everglade  soil  and 
most  of  the  peat  or  muck  throughout  the  state  are  fairly  rich 
in  nitrogen  and  phosphoric  acid,  but  are  lacking  in  potash.  Often 
this  lowland  soil  is  sour,  as  is  much  of  the  pineland,  and  it  can 
be  helped  by  applications  of  fertilizer  which  is  rich  in  potash, 
and  by  being  worked.  In  places  throughout  the  state  the  pine- 
land  is  underlaid  with  hardpan,  which  tends  to  make  the  soil 
sour,  and  with  such  land  thorough  drainage  is  necessary.  In 
the  northern  part  of  the  state  there  are  considerable  areas  of 
clayey  soil. 

It  may  seem  that  I  have  entered  into  quite  a  lengthy  disserta- 
tion on  soils  in  a  work  devoted  to  ornamental  gardening,  but  as 
this  is  the  foundation  in  which  plants  must  be  grown  it  is  well 
to  understand  something  of  soils  in  order  to  plant  and  cultivate 
intelligently. 

The  crying  need  of  all  our  sandy  pine  land  is  humus.  For  this 
reason  every  scrap  of  anything  which,  by  its  decay,  will  make 
mould  should,  in  some  way,  be  given  to  the  land.  I  consider 
it  nothing  short  of  a  crime  against  one's  ground  and  plants  to 
burn  or  throw  away  any  trash,  dead  limbs,  wood  or  any  vege- 
table product.  If  one  objects  to  putting  grass,  weeds  and  trash 
around  in  his  garden  on  account  of  their  unsightliness  he  can  make 
a  compost  heap,  which,  when  well  decayed,  will  form  an  admira- 
ble dressing  for  his  plants  and  at  the  same  time  will  help  the  soil. 
Seaweed  should  be  collected  whenever  it  is  possible  and  either 
used  as  a  mulch  or  in  making  compost.  Broken  limbs,  trimmings 
from  trees  and  shrubs,  grass,  the  refuse  from  waste  baskets, 
dead  leaves,  everything  that  will  decay  can  be  piled  up  where  it 
will  not  be  unsightly  and  used  in  the  good  work  when  it  is  decom- 
posed. If  this  heap  can  have  a  small  amount  of  cottonseed 
meal  or  bone  meal  sprinkled  over  it  occasionally  and  if  the  whole 
can  be  turned  over  once  in  a  while,  so  much  the  better.  Muck 
and  peat,  if  obtainable,  are  excellent  for  the  soil  or  compost 
heaps,  so  are  all  kinds  of  marine  vegetation  and  all  dead  animals. 
The  Chinese,  who  have  cultivated  their  lands  from  time  imme- 
morial, have  never  used  commercial  fertilizers  of  any  kind,  but 


IN  FLORIDA  19 

have  kept  them  in  a  high  state  of  fertility  by  putting  back  on 
them  all  the  waste  and  rubbish  obtainable.  We  in  the  United 
States,  with  a  wonderfully  fertile  soil,  have  in  a  little  over  a 
century  so  exhausted  much  of  our  land  that  it  will  scarcely 
produce  anything.  My  own  ground,  though  mostly  ordinary 
pine  land,  is  far  richer  and  darker  colored  now  than  when  it 
was  virgin  soil,  and  all  because  I  have  put  far  more  on  it  than  I 
have  taken  off.  I  have  used  but  little  commercial  fertilizer  on  it. 

Much  of  the  substance  of  vegetation  comes  from  the  atmos- 
phere and  quite  a  little  from  rain,  and  it  stands  to  reason  that  if 
all  the  waste  material  on  a  plantation  goes  back  into  the  soil 
it  will  be  enriched  instead  of  exhausted.  It  is  in  this  way  that 
leaf  mould  has  been  formed  in  forests;  in  fact,  that  humus  has 
been  made  all  over  the  earth. 

Of  course  it  is  best  to  use  some  commercial  fertilizer  on  our 
poor  soil.  Throughout  the  state  quite  generally  stable  manure 
is  purchased,  often  shipped  in,  and  applied  freely  to  vegetable 
and  ornamental  gardens  with  excellent  results  to  the  plants. 
But  there  are  those  who  think  its  use  draws  the  terrible  mole 
crickets,  and  it  is  certain  that  in  many  places  in  this  vicinity 
where  it  is  used  freely  these  insects  have  become  an  intolerable 
pest,  while  in  others  where  none  of  it  has  been  used  they  do  not 
trouble. 

I  think  it  a  good  idea  to  spread  muck  around  trees  and  plants 
on  pine  land,  say  a  couple  of  inches  in  depth;  then  hoe  or  dig  it 
into  the  soil.  If  one  can,  it  is  better  to  give  a  little  fertilizer 
often,  working  it  into  the  ground,  than  to  put  it  on  in  large 
amounts. 

During  the  winter  in  Florida, — especially  southern  Florida, — 
we  are  liable  to  have  warm  spells  with  some  rain.  If  the  soil 
around  plants  is  worked  through  the  cool  season  and  fertilizer 
is  applied  it  is  quite  probable  that  growth  may  start,  and  then, 
in  case  of  frost,  much  more  damage  will  be  done  than  if  the 
plants  had  been  left  alone.  It  is  a  good  rule  to  let  plants  go 
without  culture  during  the  time  of  year  when  there  is  danger 
of  frost.  Even  hardy  stuff  is  likely  to  suffer  if  frozen  when  in 
full  growth.  I  have  had  monthly  roses  when  growing  vigorously 


20  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

killed  outright  here  with  frost,  although  they  are  hardy  in 
Washington. 

It  is  an  excellent  idea  to  apply  a  fertilizer  rich  in  potash  in 
the  fall  just  before  cool  weather  comes  on;  this  will  harden  up 
plant  tissues,  tend  to  check  rampant,  soft  growth,  and  give  the 
plants  vigor  to  go  through  the  winter.  Sulphate  of  potash, 
muriate  of  potash  or  kainit  are  excellent  fertilizers  for  wet, 
sour  or  mucky  lands  which  are  always  lacking  in  potash. 

Where  it  is  possible,  plant  a  crop  of  velvet  beans  (Dolichos 
multiflorus),  cow  peas  (Vigna  catjang),  or  beggar  weed  (Desmo- 
dium  molle),  plowing  the  whole  under  or  in  some  way  burying 
it  in  the  soil,  and  it  is  an  excellent  idea  to  do  this  before  any 
planting  is  done.  I  plant  the  Canavalias  (C.  gladiata  and  C. 
obtusa)  in  my  grounds  on  account  of  the  nitrogen  which  their 
roots  collect  and  for  the  great  amount  of  humus  the  decaying 
vines  produce,  even  though  they  may  be  something  of  a  nuisance 
at  times  by  climbing  over  other  things  or  being  in  the  way  under 
foot. 

Liquid  manure  is  very  useful,  especially  for  potted  plants  or 
many  delicate  things.  Such  things  as  the  greenhouse  and  hot- 
house terrestrial  orchids  when  planted  in  the  open  ground  are 
benefited  by  applications  of  weak  liquid  manure  every  week  or 
so  during  the  growing  season.  A  teaspoonful  or  a  little  more  of 
nitrate  of  soda  dissolved  in  a  gallon  of  water  is  a  quick  acting  and 
handy  fertilizer  for  pot  plants.  If  a  handful  of  chicken-,  sheep- 
or  well-decayed  cow-manure  is  put  into  a  ten-quart  pail  full  of 
water  and  the  mixture  is  allowed  to  stand  a  day  or  so  it  will 
make  fine  liquid  fertilizer,  and  it  may  be  applied  every  week  or 
ten  days  through  the  growing  season. 


CLIMATE;  PROTECTION  OF  PLANTS. 

As  the  climate  of  any  region  has  much  to  do  with  the  character 
of  its  wild  and  cultivated  plants  it  may  be  proper  here  to  give  a 
brief  account  of  that  of  Florida. 

The  lower  keys  reach  down  to  within  a  degree  of  the  Tropic 
of  Cancer,  and,  with  the  extreme  southern  end  of  the  mainland, 
have  a  climate  much  like  that  of  western  Cuba.  The  wind  in 
Florida,  especially  during  the  cooler  season,  usually  swings 
around  the  compass  in  the  same  direction  as  the  hands  of  a 
clock.  Whenever,  during  the  cooler  part  of  the  year,  it  gets  into 
the  northwest  there  is  a  decided  lowering  of  the  temperature: 
it  usually  blows  from  this  direction  for  about  three  days  and 
then  shifts  to  the  northeast.  During  these  "Northers,"  as  they 
are  called,  frost  may  occur  over  any  part  of  Florida,  even  to  the 
lowermost  keys. 

I  am  aware  that  this  statement  will  be  contradicted  by  many 
who  are  residents  of  this  region.  In  the  latter  part  of  December 
1906,  a  severe  and  protracted  norther  visited  South  Florida, 
lasting  eight  days  in  the  Miami  region.  Sharp  frost  occurred 
five  nights  in  succession,  doing  great  damage  to  tender  vegetation. 
This  norther  swept  over  Cuba,  extending  to  the  southern  part 
of  the  island,  and  near  Cienfuegos  it  wrought  great  destruction 
to  the  sugar  cane  at  the  Soledad  Plantation.  I  was  informed 
by  Mr.  Hughes,  the  manager,  that  ice  formed  on  ponds  and  still 
water,  and  at  the  beautiful  home  of  the  Cabadas  near  that  city 
I  saw  many  young  trees  which  they  told  me  the  freeze  had  killed 
outright. 

No  doubt  I  shall  be  condemned  for  making  these  statements 
but  I  am  simply  telling  the  truth,  facts  which  ought  to  be  known 
by  every  one  who  intends  making  a  home  and  growing  fruit  or 
ornamentals  in  this  state.  No  matter  in  what  part  of  it  one 
may  settle  he  should  be  prepared  for  occasional  frosts  and  should 
know  all  that  is  known  about  what  is  best  to  do  to  protect  his 
plants. 

The  climate  of  the  extreme  northern  part  of  the  state,  especially 

21 


22  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

inland,  may  be  called  warm  temperate,  and  the  nights  in  winter 
are  cool,  so  that  a  fire  is  needed  to  sit  by  in  the  evenings  and 
sharp  frosts  are  not  uncommon.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  state 
the  temperature  at  sunrise,  except  during  northers,  is  usually  from 
60°  to  70°  with  a  midday  temperature  of  from  70°  to  78°  and 
the  native  vegetation  is  largely  tropical.  As  a  general  thing 
the  plants  of  the  tropics  grow  and  flourish  from  year  to  year, 
only  suffering  when  an  occasional  frost  occurs. 

The  greater  part  of  the  rainfall  comes  during  the  warm  season. 
Heavy  rains  are  likely  to  begin  in  the  latter  part  of  May  and 
continue  with  more  or  less  interruption  until  about  the  last  of 
October.  It  must  not  be  supposed  that  these  so-called  rainy 
seasons  are  periods  of  anything  like  continual  rain.  Showers 
sometimes  fall  every  day  for  awhile ;  then  there  may  be  a  number 
of  rainless  days  and  the  showers  vary  from  a  few  drops  to  a 
downpour  of  several  inches.  During  the  dry  season  there  is  an 
average  of  from  two  to  three  inches  of  rain  a  month  and,  as  a 
rule,  the  fall  is  fairly  well  distributed  throughout  the  year. 
This  is  conducive  to  vegetable  growth  as  most  of  the  precipitation 
occurs  during  the  growing  season,  while  during  the  period  of 
plant  rest  enough  falls  to  keep  vegetation  in  good  condition. 
The  rainfall  varies  in  different  parts  of  the  state  from  40  inches 
on  some  of  the  lower  keys  to  65  in  the  upper  part  of  the  state. 

Hurricanes  occur  occasionally,  usually  from  August  to  the 
end  of  October.  They  may  visit  any  part  of  the  state,  lasting 
from  a  few  hours  to  several  days.  It  is  possible  for  them  to  come 
at  any  season,  though  we  feel  practically  safe  from  November  first 
until  the  beginning  of  the  rainy  season.  Sometimes  they  do  little 
damage  beyond  breaking  off  limbs  and  switching  young  growth 
and  leaves;  at  other  times  they  are  very  destructive  to  buildings 
and  vegetation.  In  some  cases  large  trees  are  blown  over  and 
nearly  all  the  leaves  are  stripped  from  the  trees.  If  such  a 
storm  occurs  before  the  first  of  October  and  the  weather  following 
is  mild  new  leaves  are  likely  to  develop,  but  if  a  storm  comes 
later  than  that  the  trees  are  most  likely  to  go  through  the  winter 
more  or  less  naked.  Ordinarily  there  is  a  very  heavy  rainfall 
during  these  storms  but  sometimes  there  is  little  or  none. 
During  such  dry  hurricanes  a  large  amount  of  salt  is  carried 


IN   FLORIDA  23 

from  the  sea  by  the  wind,  proving  very  destructive  to  foliage  and 
small  limbs,  especially  on  the  side  of  vegetation  towards  the 
wind.  At  such  times  forests  that  are  not  overthrown  may  be 
almost  destroyed,  partly  by  the  salt  spray  and  in  part,  per- 
haps, by  the  passage  of  electricity  from  the  clouds  to  the  earth. 
This  salt  spray  does  not  especially  affect  vegetation  when  there 
is  an  abundant  rainfall  or  at  any  great  distance  inland. 

Most  of  these  hurricanes  originate  in  the  Caribbean  or  to  the 
eastward  of  it,  moving  to  the  west  and  north  until  they  reach 
the  Tropic  of  Cancer,  when  they  veer  to  the  northward  and 
finally  to  the  northeastward.  The  wind  may  blow  from  any 
direction. 

Much  has  been  published  on  the  subject  of  protecting  plants 
from  frost  and  a  good  many  devices  have  been  used  for  this 
purpose,  but  so  far  as  my  experience  goes  I  cannot  help  acknowl- 
edging that  we  can  do  but  little  to  defend  ourselves  from  severe 
freezing.  Almost  any  kind  of  covering  will  ward  off  a  light 
frost,  but  in  case  of  a  sharp  freeze  such  protection  does  but 
little  good.  If  by  any  means  the  morning  sun  can  be  kept 
from  falling  on  frosted  plants  they  may  come  through  with  but 
little  injury;  therefore  tall  trees  or  a  forest  standing  to  the 
eastward  of  one's  garden  should  be  preserved  by  all  means. 
If  an  open. space  lies  to  the  westward  of  such  a  forest  the  cold 
air  during  a  time  of  frost  may  settle  there  and  a  heavy  frost 
result. 

A  good  many  growers  have  installed  irrigation  works  on  their 
grounds,  and  if  water  from  an  ordinary  well  can  be  thrown  on 
vegetation  during  a  moderate  frost  it  will  be  protected,  but  in 
case  of  a  very  hard  freeze  it  will  form  thick  ice  all  over  the  plants 
and  the  chances  are  that  they  will  be  ruined.  When  once  water 
is  turned  on,  it  must  be  kept  going  until  all  danger  of  frost  is  over. 
One  generally  has  tender  plants  scattered  all  over  his  place  and 
his  irrigation  works  are  not  sufficiently  powerful  to  keep  up  a 
flow  of  water  over  the  whole  all  night.  It  is  claimed  that  if 
water  is  sprayed  over  frozen  plants  very  early  in  the  morning 
it  will  save  them  but  I  have  never  had  much  success  with  this 
plan. 

A  clouded  sky  at  night  is  an  excellent  protection  against  frost, 


24  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

hence  anything  which  imitates  such  a  condition  is  good.  If  one 
can  burn  wood,  trash,  coal  or  crude  oil  in  suitable  vessels 
among  his  plants  during  a  comparatively  calm  night  when  there 
is  a  light  frost  he  may  often  save  his  plants,  but  if  there  is  a  high 
wind  or  a  hard  freeze  such  attempts  at  protection  will  do  little 
good.  Twice  since  living  here  I  have  seen  such  severe  freezing 
during  a  time  of  high  wind  that  all  the  leaves  on  lofty  coconut 
trees  were  killed,  and  for  more  than  a  month  these  trees  showed 
no  sign  of  life.  Of  course  smudge  pots  or  any  ordinary  protec- 
tion would  be  worthless  at  such  a  time. 

Growers  here  have  resorted  to  various  plans  such  as  putting 
screens  around  and  over  tender  plants,  some  of  them  permanent 
and  others  which  are  removed  in  summer.  Those  which  are 
intended  to  remain  have  posts  set  in  the  ground  with  tight, 
boarded  walls  and  a  framework  overhead  which  may  be  slatted : 
the  top  is  generally  covered  with  canvas  during  winter.  Some 
of  these  are  large  structures  covering  several  acres.  Small  frames 
covered  with  canvas  and  temporary  tents  are  often  used.  Posts 
are  often  set  in  the  ground  around  or  partly  around  plants, 
slats  nailed  on  and  palmetto  leaves  fastened  to  the  slats.  All 
these  protect  more  or  less  but  none  of  them  will  always  save 
tender  stuff  unless  some  kind  of  heating  apparatus  is  used. 

As  a  general  thing  in  the  lower  third  of  the  state,  shrubs  and 
trees  which  have  attained  a  height  of  six  or  eight  feet  are  not 
in  much  danger  of  being  destroyed  by  frost  if  the  collars  can 
be  kept  from  freezing.  It  is  almost  always  at  this  point  that  the 
greatest  injury  is  done,  because  the  air  just  at  the  ground  is 
usually  colder  than  at  any  higher  point.  In  many  cases  I  have 
known  trees  or  shrubs  whose  limbs  and  leaves  were  wholly 
untouched  by  frost  to  die  outright  from  its  effects,  and  when  they 
were  afterwards  examined  it  would  be  found  that  a  short  space 
just  at  the  collar  had  been  frozen  so  that  wood  and  bark  were 
turned  black.  Now  the  one  thing  to  do  which  will  never  fail 
to  save  one's  trees  from  destruction  is  to  make  a  mound  of  earth 
around  their  bases  as  soon  as  there  is  any  danger  of  frost  in 
the  fall  and  let  it  remain  until  there  is  no  longer  any  risk  from  it 
in  spring.  This  mound  should  be  a  foot  or  more  high  and  it 
would  be  better  if  it  could  be  made  when  the  ground  is  dry. 


IN  FLORIDA  25 

Be  sure  that  it  is  carefully  filled  in  around  the  stem  or  stems 
and  it  will  be  well  to  examine  it  occasionally  through  the 
winter  to  see  that  mice  have  not  dug  it  away.  In  case  of 
warm  and  wet  weather  in  winter  it  would  be  best  to  watch 
herbaceous  or  other  delicate  things  for  fear  their  stems  might 
rot:  if  there  seems  to  be  any  danger  the  soil  should  be  tempo- 
rarily removed  and  replaced  when  the  weather  grows  cooler. 
If  plants  are  so  treated  one  can  be  almost  absolutely  sure  of 
carrying  the  tenderest  things  safely  through  the  winters  of  lower 
Florida.  Generally  it  will  be  found  that  the  tops  of  plants  so 
treated  will  receive  but  little  damage,  and  even  if  they  are  de- 
stroyed fresh  suckers  will  spring  up  from  the  living  part.  The 
mound  should  be  so  constructed  that  no  water  can  enter  at  the 
stem  of  the  plant. 

In  some  cases  a  mound  of  earth  may  be  made  at  the  side  of  a 
small  plant  just  before  a  hard  frost,  the  plant  bent  down  over  it, 
the  whole  covered  with  gunny  sacks  and  earth  laid  over  all  to 
the  depth  of  several  inches.  This  must  be  removed  immediately 
after  danger  is  over  and,  at  the  best,  it  will  be  nearly  as  hard 
on  the  plants  as  a  frost.  Leaving  native  plants  for  protection, 
or  planting  rapid  growing  vegetation  among  one's  tender  things, 
is  some  help. 

But  little  protection  can  be  made  for  vegetation  against 
hurricanes.  So  far  as  possible  I  try  to  have  my  things  grow 
low,  and  I  am  glad  to  have  trees  and  shrubs  with  as  many  stems 
as  possible.  Never  trim  trees  up  so  that  they  will  have  long, 
naked  trunks,  for  this  gives  the  wind  an  extra  leverage  whereby 
it  can  uproot  or  break  them.  If  trees  and  large  shrubs  are 
frozen  down  allow  them  to  send  up  a  number  of  sprouts  if  they 
will.  By  so  doing  they  will  form  low  heads  which  will  help  to 
protect  them  from  the  next  frost  and  from  heavy  winds.  By 
allowing  the  vegetation  in  your  grounds  to  grow  up  densely 
it  will  be  more  likely  to  withstand  severe  wind  storms  than  if 
it  is  open,  as  the  trees  protect  each  other. 

In  low  land  or  regions  underlaid  with  hardpan  it  will  be 
necessary  to  cut  ditches  or  put  in  tiling  to  carry  off  the  water. 
Sometimes  as  much  as  thirty  inches  of  rain  falls  in  a  month, 
and  this  must  be  promptly  removed. 


PROPAGATION. 

If  one  has  any  considerable  amount  of  planting  to  do  it  will  be 
almost  absolutely  necessary  to  build  some  kind  of  a  propagating 
house  or  even  more  than  one.  Such  buildings  should  be  placed 
where  they  will  be  well  sheltered  from  winds,  and  especially  the 
northwest  wind.  They  should  have  sunshine  the  greater  part  of 
the  day.  Posts  can  be  set  in  the  ground,  their  tops  being  a  little 
over  six  feet  high,  and  on  these  a  horizontal  strip  can  be  nailed  at 
the  top  and  bottom.  On  these  strips  vertical  pieces  of  I  x  3 
should  be  nailed,  leaving  about  an  inch  and  a  half  space  between 
them,  or  the  north  and  west  sides  may  be  boarded  up  close  or  all 
sides  if  thought  best.  Pieces  of  2  x  4  may  be  nailed  across  the 
top  about  six  feet  apart  and  supported  by  other  posts  and  on 
these  a  flat  roof  of  I  x  3  slats  should  be  nailed.  These  slats  may 
have  spaces  left  between  them  anywhere  from  an  inch  and  a  half 
to  two  inches  wide.  Part  of  this  roof  may  be  laid  closer  than  the 
rest  if  necessary  and  if  considerable  shade  is  required  for  any  pur- 
pose the  slats  over  that  part  may  be  laid  with  one-inch  spaces  or 
even  less.  There  will  need  to  be  a  door,  and  one  must  have  a 
well  inside,  or  if  outside  as  close  to  the  door  as  possible.  This  is 
the  cheapest,  simplest  form  of  slat  house  and  may  be  built  from 
ten  feet  square  to  a  large  size,  either  of  rough  material  or  dressed 
stuff  and  painted.  Shelves  on  which  to  sow  seeds  or  plant  cut- 
tings can  be  built  along  one  or  more  sides  of  the  structure  at  a 
height  of  three  to  three  and  a  half  feet  above  the  ground  and  from 
two  to  three  feet  wide.  A  rim  should  be  made  along  the  inside 
of  the  shelving  and  two  or  three  inches  of  sand  or  earth  placed 
on  the  shelves.  One  may,  however,  be  quite  successful  rooting 
cuttings  or  raising  seedlings  in  the  ground  without  having 
shelves. 

A  much  more  ornamental  and  permanent  structure  can  be 
built  with  concrete  walls  and  a  span  roof,  the  ridge  of  which  had 
better  run  north  and  south.  The  side  walls  of  such  a  building 
can  be  four  and  a  half  feet  high,  and  the  end  walls  may  be  the 
same  height  with  the  upper  part  of  wood  or  the  whole  may  be 

27 


28 


ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 


concrete.  If  the  walls  are  tight  and  fertilizer  sacks  are  hung 
from  the  fronts  of  the  shelves  the  space  enclosed  will  be  found  to 
be  a  fine  place  in  summer  to  root  large  Croton  and  other  cuttings 
with  nearly  all  their  leaves,  as  it  can  be  kept  dark  and  close  with 
such  degree  of  moisture  as  is  needed.  Such  large  cuttings  make 
fine  plants  almost  at  once. 


PLAN   FOR  A   SIMPLE  PLANT   HOUSE. 

End  elevation,  showing  how  a  substantial  building  for  use  in  Florida  can  be  put  up  at 
small  expense.     It  may  be  covered  with  glass  or  slats.     (Fig.  5) 

On  the  south  side  of  the  slat  house,  or  in  any  well-sheltered 
spot  nearby,  it  is  an  excellent  plan  to  have  a  glass  covered  frame, 
even  if  of  only  a  single  sash.  In  this,  if  it  is  exposed  to  the  sun 
and  well  covered  on  cold  nights,  many  very  tender  things  can  be 
kept  through  the  winter  that  would  perish  out  of  doors  or  in  an 
ordinary  slat  house.  Such  things  as  the  Dieffenbachias,  He- 
migraphis  and  the  Fittonias  are  sometimes  killed  by  cold  when 
there  is  no  actual  frost.  Cuttings  of  many  tropical  plants — not 
all — can  be  rooted  in  such  a  frame  in  winter  if  it  is  handled  rightly, 
and  seeds  of  the  more  tender  things  can  be  started.  Where  a 
large  collection  of  plants  is  to  be  propagated  and  cultivated  a 
glass-covered  house  is  very  convenient  and  almost  necessary. 

It  may  be  made  in  the  simplest  form  by  sinking  in  the  ground, 
say  a  couple  of  feet,  a  pit  the  size  of  the  future  structure.  Then 
lengthwise  through  the  middle  of  it  a  trench  about  three  feet  wide 
is  to  be  excavated  a  couple  of  feet  deeper.  The  building  may  be 


IN   FLORIDA  29 

a  span  roof  and  run  north  and  south,  or  a  lean-to  and  run  east 
and  west  facing  the  south.  A  concrete  wall  six  inches  thick  is 
built  facing  both  sides  of  the  trench,  leaving  a  passageway  two 
feet  wide  the  length  of  the  pit.  This  should  be  carried  up  at 
intervals  of  perhaps  six  feet  in  the  form  of  posts  to  support  side 
benches  and  the  roof.  It  is  best  to  make  the  benches  of  rein- 
forced concrete,  since  nothing  below  the  surface  of  the  ground 
can  then  decay.  The  roof  can  be  made  of  sashes  which  should 
be  hinged  above  and  lifted  below  for  ventilation.  It  needs  a 
door  in  one  end  and  steps  to  descend  to  it.  If  one  of  the  benches 
or  a  part  of  it  is  screened  off  in  front  with  fertilizer  sacks  during 
cold  weather  and  one  or  more  lamps  or  a  small  oil  stove  is  put 
in  and  lighted  a  fine  bottom  heat  may  be  kept  up,  furnishing  ideal 
conditions  for  rooting  cuttings,  starting  seeds,  or  for  small  or 
delicate  plants.  There  should  be  a  pipe  or  some  kind  of  a  venti- 
lator leading  from  this  space  out  to  the  open  air.  Such  a  building 
may  be  ten  feet  wide  over  all.  Of  course  one  can  build  a  regular 
glass  house  with  hot  water  pipes  if  he  wishes. 

It  is  always  well  to  keep  in  such  a  place  one  or  more  extra 
plants  of  rare,  tender  things.  If  one  cannot  have  any  kind  of  a 
propagating  house  he  can  put  in  cuttings  or  sow  seeds  in  flats  or 
shallow  boxes,  either  in  the  house  or  a  sheltered,  partly  shaded 
place.  It  is  almost  absolutely  necessary  that  such  a  propagating 
arrangement  should  be  protected  from  all  wind. 

A  majority  of  the  plants  which  succeed  in  the  latitude  of  Flor- 
ida when  planted  in  the  open,  bear  seeds  which  will  germinate 
and  produce  healthy  seedlings,  and  in  general  raising  plants  by 
such  means  is  the  quickest  and  best  way  to  propagate.  Young 
seedlings  need  some  sun  and  the  boxes  in  which  they  are  grown 
should  be  turned  around  occasionally  to  keep  them  from  being 
drawn.  It  is  best  when  they  have  three  or  four  leaves  to  trans- 
plant them  into  separate  pots,  or  tin  cans  having  a  hole  punched 
in  the  bottom  will  do.  From  pots  they  can  be  turned  out  with- 
out greatly  disturbing  the  ball  of  earth  around  their  roots.  If 
in  a  can,  it  should  be  struck  against  some  hard  object  several 
times  to  loosen  the  contents. 

One  is  likely  to  receive  the  seeds  of  tropical  plants  at  any  time 
during  the  winter  and  such  seeds,  as  a  rule,  should  be  planted  at 


30  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

once.  But  if  while  they  are  in  the  ground  a  norther  of  several 
days'  duration  occurs  or  an  extended  cold  spell  such  as  we  some- 
times have  anywhere  in  Florida,  these  seeds  are  very  sure  to  rot, 
unless  one  can  keep  them  in  a  warm  place.  In  planting  palm 
seeds,  if  one  can  spare  pots  long  enough  it  is  an  excellent  idea  to 
put  a  single  seed  in  each  pot  and  set  them  thickly  in  sand  or 
earth  on  the  benches.  This  is  for  the  reason  that  the  palms 
form  long,  hard  and  brittle  tap  roots  and  if  planted  in  open 
earth  they  are  difficult  to  transplant. 


On«. 


ANOTHER   FLORIDA   PLANT   HOUSE. 

This  design  requires  less  space  than  the  preceding  one,  and  is  quite  sufficient  for  those  who 
are  working  only  with  potted  plants.  Some  sort  of  a  plant  house  is  almost  a  necessity,  if 
one  is  to  enjoy  the  full  possibilities  of  Florida  for  the  propagation  of  tender  plants.  (Fig.  6) 

I  like  to  grow  plants  to  a  considerable  size  before  putting  them 
out  in  the  open  ground.  Plants  in  from  four-  to  six-inch  pots  are 
much  better  fitted  to  withstand  the  hardships  of  their  first  year 
in  the  open  ground  than  those  from  smaller  sizes.  A  large  num- 
ber of  the  plants  which  we  grow  in  this  region  may  be  propagated 
from  cuttings  and  this  is  especially  true  of  the  herbaceous  and  soft 
wooded  kinds.  Shrubs  and  trees  having  very  hard  wood  rarely 
root  from  cuttings  with  us.  I  have  the  best  success  with  the 
woody  forms  by  taking  not  quite  ripened  shoots  and  cutting  them 
into  lengths  from  eight  inches  to  a  foot  long.  These  I  set  in  the 


IN   FLORIDA  31 

ground,  often  in  a  sloping  position,  to  within  a  couple  of  inches 
of  their  tops.  Then  I  firm  the  earth  around  them  and  drench 
them  with  water.  They  should  be  kept  warm  and  moist  but  not 
too  wet.  If  one  could  have  bottom  heat  for  the  tenderer  kinds 
it  would  be  a  great  advantage.  Cuttings  of  most  tropical  things 
must  be  rooted  (unless  one  has  a  warm  place)  in  the  growing 
season.  Those  of  hardy  plants  can  be  rooted  in  winter.  They 
may  go  in  a  slat  house  or  even  a  well-sheltered  spot  out  of  doors. 
Great  care  should  be  exercised  in  lifting  out  rooted  cuttings  not 
to  break  off  the  delicate  roots.  If  a  number  are  rooted  in  a  pot 
the  ball  of  earth  can  be  carefully  turned  out  and  the  soil  washed 
from  the  roots.  I  prefer  to  let  cuttings  of  wooded  plants  stand 
until  their  roots  have  hardened  a  little  before  transplanting 
them. 

Cuttings  taken  from  plants  growing  in  pots  or  boxes  root  much 
more  readily  than  those  from  plants  which  are  growing  in  the 
open  ground.  Cuttings  of  Oleanders,  rose  and  zonale  Geraniums 
are  often  troubled  with  a  blight,  probably  some  sort  of  a  fungus, 
and  either  will  not  root  or  die  soon  after  doing  so.  I  know  no 
remedy  for  this  but  it  might  be  a  good  idea  to  dip  the  cuttings  in 
Bordeaux  mixture  or  sprinkle  them  with  sulfur  before  putting 
them  in  to  root.  Oleanders  and  some  other  hardy  shrubs  may 
be  rooted  in  winter  by  taking  large  cuttings,  a  half  inch  to  an 
inch  in  diameter,  defoliating  them  and  planting  them  to  within 
a  couple  of  inches  of  their  tops  in  damp  ground. 

Layering  may  be  successfully  practiced  with  many  things  which 
have  branches  near  the  ground,  or  as  is  sometimes  done,  with 
small  limbs  at  some  distance  above  the  ground  by  making  a  stage 
on  which  to  set  a  pot  or  box  filled  with  soil.  It  is  better  to  cut  a 
slit  in  the  branch,  holding  it  open  with  a  bit  of  wood.  Make  an 
excavation  in  the  earth  and  bury  the  cut  part  a  few  inches  in  it, 
fastening  the  limb  down  if  necessary  with  a  small  wooden  fork. 
If  the  ground  becomes  dry  it  is  well  to  water  it. 

Some  things,  including  most  of  the  Ficus,  are  best  propagated 
by  air  layering.  Prepare  a  small  limb  on  the  tree  in  the  same  way 
as  for  ground  layering,  wrap  it  wen  with  sphagnum,  tying  it  on 
thoroughly.  This  should  be  done  during  the  rainy  season;  if 
it  gets  dry  water  should  be  applied.  In  a  few  weeks  roots  will 


32  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

form  and  penetrate  the  moss  and  the  layer  can  be  cut  off  and 
planted. 

The  process  of  inarching  is  rarely  resorted  to  in  the  propagation 
of  ornamentals  and  the  same  is  true  with  budding  and  grafting 
in  Florida.  Full  instructions  for  these  operations  can  be  found 
in  any  good  work  on  gardening.  Some  of  the  palms  send  up 
suckers  from  or  near  the  ground  and  these  often  send  out  roots 
but  it  is  sometimes  difficult  to  make  them  grow  when  they  are 
cut  off.  If  one  will  make  an  incision  at  the  base  of  a  sucker,  set 
a  pot  or  box  of  earth  under  it,  digging  out  below  if  necessary,  he 
can  catch  these  roots  and  when  the  plant  is  established  cut  off  the 
connection  with  the  parent.  In  this  way  not  only  palm  suckers 
but  a  variety  of  others,  even  limbs  of  trees,  may  be  made  into 
fine  plants. 

The  entire  process  of  propagation  and  all  that  is  connected 
with  it  are  among  the  most  delightful  experiences  of  the  plant 
lover  and  gardener.  What  joy  can  be  sweeter  than  actually  to 
witness  the  creation  of  living  organisms, — to  see  the  plumules 
pushing  their  way  up  through  the  earth?  What  is  there  more 
delightful  than  to  feel  that  these  dear  little  things  are  your  very 
own,  that,  in  partnership  with  nature,  you  have  helped  to  bring 
them  into  existence?  Only  a  true  lover  of  plants  can  ever  feel 
the  pleasure  of  digging  up  a  cutting  he  has  planted  and  finding 
at  its  base  a  heavy  white  callus,  or  the  delicate,  young,  soft 
roots  pushing  out.  He  realizes  that  in  his  hand  he  holds  the  pos- 
sibility, perhaps,  of  a  noble  and  beautiful  tree  which  may  live 
through  generations,  to  cheer  and  bless  mankind  long  after  he 
has  passed  away. 


PLANTING. 

There  is  little  in  the  way  of  instruction  that  I  can  give  about 
the  mechanical  part  of  planting  and  caring  for  ornamentals. 
I  make  claim  to  no  particular  skill;  I  am  only  an  amateur  and 
a  poor  one  at  that;  there  are  many  who  succeed  where  I  fail.  I 
love  all  these  dear  things  with  a  mother's  devotion,  but  somehow 
I  fall  a  little  short  of  complete  success  in  planting  and  making 
them  grow. 

I  find  it  a  difficult  matter  to  get  little  plants  to  grow  when  put 
out  in  the  open  sun  and  exposed  to  the  wind.  And  indeed  it  is 
trying  for  them  under  ordinary  circumstances  in  Florida.  Our 
sandy  soil  becomes  scorchingly  hot  under  the  almost  vertical 
sun,  and  it  soon  dries  out  on  the  surface,  even  after  rain  or 
thorough  watering.  For  these  reasons  I  have  urged  that  some 
of  the  native  growth  should  be  left  when  clearing  is  being  done, 
for  a  slight  protection  until  the  plants  can  get  a  start.  I  try, 
when  possible,  to  put  my  things  out  in  a  rainy  time  but  it  seems 
to  me  that  no  matter  how  wet  it  is  when  I  begin  planting  it  always 
turns  dry  immediately  and  stays  so. 

It  is  a  good  idea  to  dig  out  a  larger  hole  than  the  dimensions 
of  the  roots  and  if  one  is  planting  in  pine  land,  as  most  of  us  have 
to  do,  to  work  in  with  the  soil  some  muck  and  a  little  fertilizer. 
Leave  a  slight  depression  around  the  tree  or  plant  to  hold  water. 
Water  thoroughly  and  shade  the  plant  if  it  has  leaves  on  it: 
palmetto  leaves  stuck  in  the  ground  around  it  are  just  the  thing 
and  I  have  sometimes  thought  that  they  were  made  for  this 
especial  purpose.  I  believe  in  mulching,  and  always,  where  it 
is  possible,  put  a  good  cover  of  leaves,  grass,  seaweed  or  some 
kind  of  trash  around  newly  set  plants.  If  the  weather  is  dry 
after  planting  one  should  water  freely  until  his  stuff  is  established. 
If  necessary  the  mulching  can  be  removed  when  the  plants  are 
being  hoed,  or  one  can  use  a  tooth  hoe  and  not  greatly  disturb  it. 

I  approach  the  subject  of  arranging  plants  so  that  their  colors 
and  forms  of  leaves  and  growth  shall  harmonize  with  a  good  deal 
of  hesitation,  first  because,  judged  by  the  standards  of  modern 

33 


34  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

landscape  gardening  I  know  little  about  it,  and  second,  what 
little  I  think  I  know  is  directly  contrary  to  the  modern  teachings. 

I  believe  that  nature  is  a  pretty  safe  guide  in  the  matter  of 
laying  out  and  planting  grounds ;  at  least  she  points  out  the  way 
for  us.  She  plants  forests,  she  leaves  open  glades  which  stand 
for  our  lawns;  she  joins  the  forest  to  the  glade  by  making  an 
irregular  border  of  lower  growth  between  them.  Wild  animals 
make  paths  through  the  woods  and  along  the  open  spaces,  and 
these  are  always  made  to  be  used ;  they  stand  for  our  paths  and 
roads.  They  usually  lead  along  the  lines  of  least  resistance,  and 
though  they  are  not  often  made  in  straight  lines  they  are  usually 
reasonably  direct.  They  teach  that  curves  and  deviations  are 
not  to  be  indulged  in  merely  for  ornament.  Nature  leaves  bold 
ledges  and  scoops  out  depressions  and  grottos,  she  lays  out  the 
courses  of  rivers  and  streams,  she  makes  pools  and  lakes.  She 
makes  some  mistakes  but  not  many.  It  has  always  seemed  to 
me  that  she  blundered  when  she  developed  the  Australian  Pine 
in  the  tropics. 

Nearly  all  the  art  that  is  required  in  the  natural  style  of  land- 
scape gardening  is  to  show  the  best  of  nature  and  to  show  nature 
at  her  best.  Aside  from  the  building  of  our  dwellings  and  out- 
buildings we  need  to  do  but  little  that  nature  doesn't  do  some- 
where and  in  some  way.  As  Downing  has  said,  "Landscape 
gardening  is  an  union  of  natural  expression  and  harmonious 
cultivation." 

We  hear  a  great  deal  about  massing  trees  and  shrubs  for  effect, 
of  matching  colors  in  planting,  of  harmony  and  discord  and  of 
many  kinds  of  plants  that  should  never  be  put  near  each  other, 
and  it  seems  to  me  that  those  who  are  so  insistent  about  these 
things  only  use  plants  as  a  means  to  an  end ;  that  to  them  these 
beautiful  things,  which  to  me  seem  to  have  souls,  are  merely 
what  soldiers  are  to  a  commanding  general  on  a  battlefield.  They 
remind  me  of  the  society  woman  who  must  have  a  nurse  whose 
complexion  harmonized  with  that  of  her  baby.  I  love  each  tree, 
shrub,  vine  and  plant  for  its  own  sake;  to  cut  one  down  or  even 
trim  it  seems  almost  cruel.  I  am  interested  in  them  all  from  the 
time  they  are  set  out,  as  they  build  leaf  after  leaf  and  growth 
after  growth  until  they  grow  old  and  die.  They  are  my  friends 


IN  FLORIDA  35 

and  I  am  theirs,  and  we  seem,  in  some  measure,  to  understand 
each  other.  It  is  a  rest  and  comfort  to  me  to  go  among  them  and 
visit  with  them. 

And  it  seems  to  me  that  if  landscape  architects  and  those  who 
create  gardens  had  more  of  this  feeling  we  would  hear  less  about 
matching  colors  and  being  shocked  over  dreadful  discords  in 
vegetation.  Nature  violates  the  rules  on  every  hand.  What 
are  you  going  to  do  with  a  tree  or  shrub  that  bears  green  leaves 
and  masses  of  purple  flowers,  the  very  worst  of  discord?  This  is 
just  what  one  of  our  finest  Bauhinias  does;  so  does  the  well- 
known  Bougainvillea, — yet  these  are  both  generally  admired. 

We  are  told  that  a  certain  class  of  plants  is  taboo,  that  we 
must  not  under  any  circumstances  use  the  Crotons,  Acalyphas, 
Pandanus  or  anything  that  has  showy,  variegated  foliage.  I 
want  to  lift  my  voice  against  this.  In  the  cold  and  dreary  north, 
where  winter  prevails  for  half  the  year,  where  fogs  and  cloudy 
skies  are  the  regular  thing  during  much  of  the  rest  of  it,  such 
plants  may  be  out  of  place,  and  somber  conifers  and  orderly 
greens  may  be  the  proper  thing. 

But  Florida  is  a  land  of  illimitable  light  and  glory,  where  the 
sun  shines  in  splendor  nearly  every  day  throughout  the  livelong 
year,  where  there  is  no  winter  and  the  forces  of  nature  are  always 
active.  Everything  shows  the  effect  of  this  splendid  light  and 
heat  power;  the  atmosphere  is  soft  and  brilliant;  all  animate  life 
puts  on  brighter  colors  than  it  does  in  a  cold  climate ;  all  nature 
is  simply  bubbling  over  with  life.  These  gorgeously  colored 
plants  were  developed  in  the  tropics;  they  are  as  much  a  part  of 
the  general  scheme  as  are  the  bright  feathers  of  parrots  and  pea- 
cocks or  the  noble  leaves  of  palms.  In  my  judgment  they  may 
to  a  reasonable  extent,  be  mingled  with  other  vegetation. 

The  following  quotation  which  bears  directly  on  this  subject 
is  taken  from  "How  to  Lay  Out  a  Garden"  by  Edward  Kemp, 
an  English  gardener  of  the  highest  standing.  "  By  a  due  admix- 
ture of  different  sorts  of  plants,  variety  may  be  additionally 
realized.  The  habit  and  character  of  trees  and  shrubs  exhibit 
a  wonderful  amount  of  variation.  Some  of  them,  indeed,  possess 
unusually  striking  characteristics,  and  assume  a  most  peculiar 
garb.  But  there  is  something  of  difference;  and  little  peculiari- 
ties show  themselves  to  advantage  in  a  small  place.  The  selec- 


36  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

tion  of  plants  for  a  garden  should  therefore  comprise  all  the  best 
and  most  showy  sorts  that  can  be  procured,  or  for  which  there  is 
proper  room  and  a  suitable  situation.  And  these  should  be  well 
mixed  together,  though  not  to  the  exclusion  of  the  practice  of 
grouping  particular  kinds.  To  throw  the  various  tribes  of  plants 
into  masses,  according  to  their  natural  affinities,  as  is  sometimes 
recommended  for  arboretums,  while  it  is  destructive  of  all  variety 
under  the  most  favorable  conditions,  is  quite  out  of  the  question 
in  small  gardens."  This  was  written  in  1850  and  whatever  was 
beautiful  then  is  beautiful  today  and  will  be  in  a  thousand  years 
from  now, — yes,  forever. 

Nature  continually  produces  the  most  violent  discords  of 
color.  We  find  in  any  considerable  collection  of  plants  those 
whose  blossoms  and  foliage  are  in  decided  discord  and  if  we  were 
to  combine  these  colors  in  art  they  would  be  hideous,  but  nature 
can  combine  them  and  they  look  all  right.  In  a  fine  sunset  we 
see  nearly  every  color  and  the  same  is  true  in  the  rainbow  or  an 
autumn  forest  yet  no  one  finds  fault  with  any  of  these. 

Why  should  we  not  condemn  all  plants  with  showy  flowers  or 
striking  leaves,  the  gorgeous  beds  of  annuals,  the  Chinese  Hibis- 
cus or  the  palms?  It  is  well  to  be  careful  when  we  set  plants 
close  to  buildings  or  walls  for  in  that  case  we  are  mingling  art 
and  nature,  and  the  same  is  true  when  planting  a  formal  garden, 
the  latter  being  more  a  work  of  art  than  of  nature.  I  do  not 
want  to  defy  the  laws  of  good  taste  but  I  would,  in  most  cases, 
subordinate  them  to  those  of  nature.  In  writing  what  I  have 
done  on  this  most  important  subject  I  have  registered  the  solemn 
convictions  of  an  old  man  who  has  loved  all  these  dear  things 
with  a  deep  devotion  since  he  was  old  enough  to  know  his  right 
hand  from  his  left. 

There  are  some  plants  which  will  not  do  well  in  the  full  sun- 
light, for  example,  Thunbergia  erecta,  Dracaena  godseffiana  and 
many  of  the  palms,  and  I  have  specified  these  in  the  catalogue. 

One  may  produce  excellent  effects  by  planting  palms  or  other 
plants  with  striking  foliage  against  a  background  of  hammock  or 
other  tall  trees  and  the  bamboos  look  well  in  such  situations. 
Bamboos  or  palms  look  well  when  planted  as  isolated  specimens 
where  they  can  have  plenty  of  room,  and  when  they  get  up  so 
that  they  cut  the  sky  line  the  effect  is  indescribably  beautiful. 


THE  CULTIVATION  AND  CARE  OF  A  GARDEN. 

This  chapter  will  be  a  sort  of  "General  good  of  the  order,"  a 
gathering  together  of  scraps  of  information  and  experience  that  I 
cannot  make  fit  anywhere  else. 

There  are  two  schools  of  cultivators  in  Florida ;  one  which 
believes  it  to  be  better  to  let  weeds  grow  in  summer,  merely 
mowing  them  down;  the  idea  being  to  shade  the  ground.  The 
other  school  believes  in  clean  culture.  As  a  matter  of  fact  we 
see  good  plants  grown  by  both  methods.  Personally  I  believe 
in  clean  culture,  though  I  do  not,  by  any  means,  always  live  up  to 
my  ideas.  It  is  well  to  begin  to  cultivate  one's  plants  as  soon 
as  danger  from  frost  is  past  in  spring  and  to  continue  it  until  a 
short  time  before  it  may  come  in  the  fall.  Hoe  or  cultivate 
your  plants  often,  giving  them  a  little  fertilizer  every  time  they 
are  worked,  and  if  they  are  mulched  the  material  can  be  taken 
away  before  cultivating  and  replaced  afterwards.  The  mulch 
will  soon  decay  and  enrich  the  soil. 

For  the  past  two  years  the  rainfall  in  this  vicinity  has  been  far 
below  normal.  Within  that  time  during  the  "rainy  season" 
there  have  been  months  with  scarcely  an  inch  of  precipitation 
and  very  little  cloudiness.  Yet  in  these  two  summers  a  neighbor 
of  mine  has  raised  fine  crops  of  cow  peas,  sweet  potatoes,  velvet 
beans,  peppers  and  other  things  on  pine  land  without  irrigation, 
largely  because  he  kept  the  hoe  and  cultivator  constantly  going. 

Many  cultivators  have  put  irrigation  systems  in  their  grounds 
and  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  judicious  use  of  water  on 
naturally  dry  land  is  beneficial.  There  are  a  number  of  different 
systems  on  the  market  but,  generally  speaking,  one  should  get  a 
plant  which  has  as  little  obstruction  from  pipes  as  possible.  For 
a  small  place  a  windmill  will  do  the  pumping,  forcing  the  water 
into  an  elevated  tank,  but  a  gasolene  engine  is  better.  Where 
one  can  have  an  electric  current  it  can  be  used  to  run  a  light 
engine  with  tank  that  works  automatically,  a  most  excellent 
arrangement.  It  is  better  to  water  plants  in  the  evening  or 
when  it  is  cloudy,  and  it  never  should  be  done  when  the  sun  is 

37 


38  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

shining,  especially  during  the  warm  season.  The  evening  is  the 
best  time  as  there  is  no  danger  of  sun  scald  if  water  is  put  on  then, 
and  one  gets  the  greatest  effect  from  a  given  quantity  of  water. 

As  a  general  thing  I  do  not  think  plants  need  a  great  deal  of 
trimming  in  Florida.  Sheared  trees  and  shrubs  are,  generally 
speaking,  monstrosities  and  nothing  of  the  kind  should  ever  be 
grown  except  in  a  formal  garden.  To  my  mind  they  have  no 
beauty  even  there.  Dead  wood  should  be  cut  out  and  often 
when  shrubs  get  old  they  become  straggling,  and  no  amount  of 
care  or  fertilizer  will  restore  them  to  vigor  and  beauty.  The 
reason  for  this  is  probably  that  our  soil  is  poor  and  in  time  be- 
comes exhausted.  The  best  thing  in  such  cases  is  to  cut  the 
growth  back  severely,  sometimes  almost  to  the  ground,  at  a 
time  when  the  plant  is  dormant.  Then  fertilize  and  work  around 
it  and  in  a  short  time  a  fine,  vigorous  growth  will  spring  up  and 
the  shrub  will  be  renewed.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  work  in  some 
muck  with  the  fertilizer.  Old  Oleanders  and  Chinese  Hibiscus 
may  be  wonderfully  renewed  by  this  process. 

If  possible  one  should  set  trees  and  plants  where  they  are  to 
remain,  but  sometimes  it  is  necessary  to  make  changes  in  one's 
grounds  and  transplant  large  specimens.  If  any  considerable 
amount  of  moving  must  be  done  it  will  pay  to  build  a  stone  boat 
to  use  in  carrying  the  plants  from  the  old  to  the  new  locations. 
Dig  the  new  hole  first,  taking  care  to  make  it  a  little  larger  than  the 
ball  of  earth  which  is  taken  up  with  the  plant  to  be  moved.  Dig 
the  plant  up  carefully,  raise  it  and  slide  it  on  the  stone  boat  and 
haul  to  the  new  location;  ease  it  into  the  hole  without  disturbing 
the  ball  of  earth  if  possible,  then  carefully  fill  in  earth  into  any 
crevices  and  thoroughly  water.  With  such  transplanting  large 
things  can  be  moved  with  but  little  risk  and  their  growth  need  not 
be  checked,  especially  if  they  are  well  mulched.  I  have  gener- 
ally had  poor  success  transplanting  palms  of  any  considerable 
size  but  many  of  them  can  be  successfully  moved  by  the  above 
method. 

One  can  hardly  estimate  how  much  may  be  done  in  the  way  of 
decoration  by  the  judicious  use  of  ornamental  vines.  I  have 
elsewhere  suggested  that  when  one  is  clearing  pine  land  for  a 
home  the  vigorous,  well-formed  pine  trees  should  be  left  standing. 


A   GARDEN    IN    SOUTH    FLORIDA. 

A  view  in  the  garden  of  Mrs.  Marian  McAdow  at  Punta  Gorda.  The  palm  Caryota  urens 
just  shows  in  the  upper  right  hand  corner.  The  clump  in  the  center  is  a  species  of  Phoenix. 
(Fig.  7) 


l 


It 

II 
II 

H 


IN   FLORIDA  39 

There  is  a  class  of  vines  which  adheres  to  walls,  the  bark  of  trees, 
rocks  and  the  like  by  means  of  adventive  roots,  tendrils  or  tendril- 
like  processes  which  can  be  used  to  cover  the  stems  of  such  trees. 
In  the  upper  part  of  the  state  such  vines  as  Tecoma  radicans, 
Bignonia  capreolata  and  Euonymus  radicans  are  hardy  and  cling 
to  smooth  surfaces.  Ficus  repens  covers  walls  beautifully  and 
it  should  be  hardy  over  the  greater  part  of  the  state.  The  Bou- 
gainvilleas  can  be  made  to  climb  to  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees 
and  so  can  Bignonia  venusta  and  all  are  superb  ornaments 
in  winter.  The  Solanums,  seaforthianum  and  wendlandi,  the 
Argyreias  and  Antigonons  are  fine  for  covering  arbors,  verandas, 
or  trees  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state.  I  have  a  poultry  yard 
fence  which  was  unsightly  and  I  planted  a  vine  of  Ipomoea  sidi- 
oides  at  one  corner  of  it  several  years  ago.  This  has  spread  over 
perhaps  a  dozen  rods  of  the  fence,  has  covered  the  poultry  house 
and  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  adjoining  ground.  Through  December 
every  year  it  is  covered  with  white  blossoms  until  it  resembles 
huge  banks  of  snow.  By  counting  the  flowers  on  a  given  space 
and  making  an  estimate  of  its  entire  surface  I  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  it  bore  a  million  flowers  a  day  for  over  a  month.  I 
have  seen  a  sheet  of  moonflower  covering  the  entire  front  of  a 
hammock  for  hundreds  of  feet,  and  a  single  specimen  of  Agdestes 
clematidea  completely  hiding  a  half  dozen  large  trees.  There  is 
scarcely  anything  unsightly  on  one's  place  that  cannot  be  covered 
and  beautified  with  vines. 

Florida  is  infested  with  a  number  of  pestiferous  weeds  and 
among  the  worst  of  these  are  the  sand  burs  (Cenchrus  spp.)  of 
which  we  have  four  or  five  species;  Boerhaavia,  a  branching  plant 
with  rounded  wavy  leaves  and  minute  purple  flowers  followed  by 
small  burs ;  Bidens  leucantha,  a  common  weed  with  white  flowers 
and  flat,  two-awned  seeds  which  attach  themselves  most  lovingly 
to  every  passer-by.  All  these  spread  themselves  by  their  seeds 
which  fasten  on  man  and  beast.  They  are  not  indigenous  to  the 
virgin  forest,  though  they  come  in  soon  after  cultivation  com- 
mences. Their  seeds  germinate  only  on  or  very  near  the  surface 
of  the  ground  and  if  one  will  dig  a  hole  in  the  sand  two  or  three 
inches  deep  and  bury  the  plant  and  all  its  seeds,  scraping  all  that 


40  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

lie  about  into  the  hole,  they  will  never  come  up.     It  is  a  good  plan 
to  step  on  the  mound  and  press  it  down  well. 

Another  weed  nuisance  is  the  smut  grass  (Sporobolus  indicus) 
a, wanderer  from  India  which  has  become  completely  naturalized 
in  the  Southern  States  as  well  as  over  many  of  the  warmer  parts 
of  the  world.  It  is  generally  found  along  roads  and  paths  or 
much  trodden  places  where  it  soon  occupies  the  ground  to  the 
exclusion  of  almost  everything  else.  It  seems  to  have  a  wonderful 
capacity  to  scatter  its  seeds  for  they  constantly  come  up  in  the 
most  unexpected  places.  I  know  of  no  way  of  eradicating  it 
except  by  pulling  or  hoeing  it  up  and  burying  it  with  all  its 
seeds  a  couple  of  inches  deep.  I  have  been  able  by  constant 
vigilance  to  keep  my  grounds  reasonably  clear  of  all  of  these  by 
the  above  means  but  fresh  seeds  are  constantly  being  brought 
in  from  other  places.  Cyperus,  or  Nut  Grass,  is  a  terrible  weed 
which  takes  complete  possession  of  ground  when  once  it  is  es- 
tablished. It  is  said  that  hogs  will  clean  it  out  or  it  may  be 
destroyed  by  constant  hoeing. 

It  sometimes  happens  that  a  plant  which  is  put  into  the  open 
ground  absolutely  refuses  to  grow  for  a  series  of  years,  though  it 
may  seem  to  be  in  perfect  health;  or  that  it  refuses  to  blossom. 
In  such  cases  it  is  best  to  be  patient  and,  instead  of  digging  it 
up  and  throwing  it  away,  let  it  remain  and  assume  that  you  can 
wait  as  long  as  it  can.  Give  it  careful  culture  and  a  little  fertil- 
izer during  the  growing  season;  a  small  quantity  of  stable  or 
liquid  manure  may  be  good,  and  it  is  probable  that  in  time  you 
can  overcome  its  balky  disposition  and  be  rewarded  with  growth 
and  bloom.  Again  small  plants  sometimes  actually  deteriorate, 
they  grow  smaller  and  smaller.  This  may  be  caused  by  dry  or 
cold  weather,  insect  ravages  or  unsuitable  soil  and  conditions. 
In  some  such  cases  I  have  carefully  lifted  the  plants  and  put 
them  back  into  pots  in  the  slat  house.  In  fact  I  have  several 
plants  that  have  been  put  out  and  taken  up  a  number  of  times, 
and  at  last  are  doing  well. 

It  seems  necessary  sometimes  to  use  diplomacy,  if  I  may  use 
such  an  expression,  when  handling  these  delicate,  sensitive 
things.  We  are  wholly  unacquainted  with  their  native  habitats 
in  very  many  instances  and  must  grope  about  blindly  in  our 


IN   FLORIDA  41 

endeavors  to  find  what  is  suitable  for  them.  They  appear  to 
have  their  whims  and  humors  like  a  gasolene  engine,  and  one  must 
favor  them  if  he  hopes  to  succeed.  But  what  a  joy  it  is  after 
spending  years,  it  may  be,  with  some  such  sickly,  backward  thing 
to  see  it  grow  strong  and  flourish  at  last,  to  feel  that,  to  a  certain 
extent,  you  have  conquered  the  stubborn  forces  of  nature,  to 
behold  the  wonder  of  long  delayed  growth  and  bloom.  Verily, 
there  is  more  joy  over  the  one  plant  that  was  lost  and  found  than 
over  the  ninety  and  nine  that  went  not  astray. 

If  one  must  make  his  home  in  the  hammock  I  would  advise  that 
he  cut  out  as  little  of  it  as  possible,  and  that  what  he  does  cut 
should  be  done  gradually,  because  if  too  much  is  cleared  away  at 
once  it  will  give  hurricanes  a  chance  to  break  it  up  badly.  One 
can  plant  exotic  things  from  time  to  time  as  he  takes  out  the 
native  growth  and  thus  his  plantings  will  be  sheltered  from  high 
winds  and  frost.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  state  it  is  an  excellent 
idea  to  plant  beggar  weed  or  pigeon  peas  rather  thickly  in  grounds 
where  tender  things  are  set  out,  and  as  these  are  rapid  growers 
they  will  form  a  fine  shelter  and  protection  in  time  of  frost. 
They  at  the  same  time  furnish  an  abundance  of  nitrogen  for 
the  soil. 

More  and  more  as  the  years  go  by  I  am  coming  to  favor  the 
plan  of  close  planting  and  of  thickly  scattering  hardy,  rapid 
growing  things  among  the  tender  stuff.  Leave  the  clean,  healthy 
pine  trees  and  a  goodly  number  of  low  growing  palmettos  for  a 
first  protection;  then  put  in  rather  abundantly  such  things  as 
the  oleanders,  the  Pittosporums,  Prunus  caroliniana,  Dauben- 
tonias,  Gordonias,  some  of  the  hardier  Eucalypts,  Magnolias, 
the  evergreen  oaks,  the  hardy  bamboos  and  a  variety  of  similar 
things  which  will  make  a  shelter  in  a  short  time.  Then  plant 
among  these,  as  soon  as  they  have  reached  some  size,  the  tender 
things,  thinning  out  the  branches  of  the  hardy  plants  as  the 
tender  ones  need  room.  When  the  hardy  trees  begin  to  crowd 
badly  cut  them  out  here  and  there  as  needed  but  leave  enough 
for  a  good  shelter.  Never  plant  tender  things  where  the  morn- 
ing sun  will  fall  on  them  nor  where  the  northwest  wind  will  touch 
them.  In  case  of  severe  frost  the  hardy  plants  will  still  make  a 
show  of  green. 


PLANT   ENEMIES. 

I  approach  this  subject  with  more  hesitation  than  any  I  shall 
attempt  to  treat  in  this  little  work,  for  the  reason  that  the  wisest 
of  us  are  so  ignorant  and  the  ablest  so  little  prepared  to  do  battle 
for  the  saving  of  our  plants.  It  has  been  stated  on  good  authority 
that  no  species  of  injurious  insect  has  ever  been  exterminated 
and  I  think  it  not  unlikely  that  the  same  may  be  said  of  diseases 
which  injure  or  destroy  our  plants.  Yet  it  is  true  that  new  harm- 
ful insects  and  diseases  are  continually  coming  to  the  front  to 
take  their  dreadful  toll  from  the  cultivator. 

There  are  two  classes  of  insects  which  do  damage  to  plants; 
first,  those  which  devour  the  foliage,  some  during  the  larval 
stage  and  others  when  adult;  second,  those  which  pierce  the  bark, 
leaves,  flowers  or  fruit  and  suck  out  the  juice.  The  former, 
which  includes  all  the  Lepidoptera,  and  the  Chrysomelids  among 
the  Coleoptera,  are  best  combated  by  arsenical  poisons  applied 
to  the  plants  on  which  they  live ;  the  latter  by  contact  insecticides 
that  will  form  a  coat  over  them  and  shut  off  their  breathing.  To 
the  second  class  belong  the  Hemiptera  in  which  the  Aphides  and 
scales  are  included.  These  are  best  combated  with  the  whale 
oil  emulsions,  but  the  greatest  care  should  be  taken  in  preparing 
them  lest  damage  be  done  to  the  foliage. 

The  cottony  scale  (Pulvinaria  sps.)  infects  Ficus  of  all  species, 
including  the  wild  ones,  and  it  must  be  combated  before  it 
reaches  the  cottony  stage,  which  is  an  egg  stage,  and  during  this 
time  the  cotton  containing  the  eggs  is  blown  about  by  the  wind. 
I  belie ve  that  ants  sometimes  carry  these  eggs.  Use  an  emulsion 
of  whale  oil  soap  for  these  and  spray  from  the  under  side  of  the 
leaves.  The  Lecanium  scales  are  found  on  many  tropical  plants ; 
the  comptie  and  Hamelia  patens  for  example,  and  should  have 
similar  treatment.  Aphides  are  sometimes  quite  troublesome  and 
should  be  sprayed  with  a  solution  of  whale  oil  soap  or  gold  dust. 

One  of  the  greatest  scourges  the  cultivator  has  to  contend  with 
in  our  area  is  root  knot,  the  work  of  a  Nematode  worm.  It 
usually  attacks  the  roots  of  young  plants  and  in  a  short  time 

43 


44  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

they  swell  up  and  become  knotted  into  unsightly  shapes  and  the 
plant  dies.  It  attacks  plants  in  pots  or  boxes  but  is  worst  on 
those  in  the  open  ground.  I  know  of  no  satisfactory  remedy  for 
it  but  heavy  mulching  for  outdoor  things  is  helpful,  though  it 
does  not  always  prevent  its  ravages.  One  should  closely  watch 
his  young  plants  and  if  they  look  sickly  or  are  inclined  to  wilt 
it  is  best  to  dig  down  carefully  and  examine  about  the  roots. 
If  they  show  the  knot  dig  the  plants  up  and  thoroughly  wash 
all  the  dirt  from  them.  It  may  be  possible  by  severe  trimming 
to  cut  away  the  injured  part,  after  which  put  the  plant  into  a 
small  pot  and  in  some  cases  it  will  come  on.  All  trimmings 
should  be  destroyed.  In  case  the  roots  are  ruined  it  may  be 
possible  to  make  cuttings  from  the  top  of  the  plant. 

There  is  a  borer,  the  larva  of  one  of  the  night  flying  moths, 
which  enters  the  growing  ends  of  shoots  of  Erythrinas  and  some 
other  things ;  it  also  works  down  the  flower  stems  and  wherever 
it  attacks  it  brings  ruin.  The  branches  attempt  to  put  out  new 
growth,  only  to  be  attacked  again,  while  the  bloom  stems  that  it 
works  on  shrivel  and  die.  In  some  cases  it  prevents  large  trees 
from  growing  or  blossoming.  I  do  not  know  at  what  time  of  the 
year  this  moth  is  active  but  if  at  the  proper  time  a  light  could  be 
put  inside  a  muslin  enclosure  covered  with  any  sticky  substance 
and  the  same  set  near  the  trees  the  moths  would  be  caught. 

We  have  a  twig  girdler  which  is  occasionally  troublesome  as  it 
cuts  off  twigs  and  small  limbs.  It  is  a  beetle  and  is  very  hard  to 
control  because  it  works  singly  and  at  night.  The  only  remedy 
would  be  to  keep  trees  and  shrubs  likely  to  be  troubled  with  it 
continually  sprayed  with  arsenical  poison. 

Many  palms  are  greatly  disfigured  and  even  injured  by  having 
the  epidermis  of  their  leaves  eaten,  the  refuse  being  deposited 
along  the  surface.  This  is  the  work  of  a  small  Chrysomelid 
beetle  which  looks  to  the  ordinary  observer  exactly  like  a  blue 
ladybug.  For  several  years  I  was  deceived  by  this  wretch,  and 
as  I  knew  that  ladybugs  were  the  horticulturist's  friends  I  was 
always  careful  not  to  injure  these  gentry;  I  even  distributed  them 
around,  hoping  that  they  might  help  me  out.  It  is  needless  to 
say  that  now  I  am  not  even  polite  to  them  any  more.  The 
arsenical  solutions  would  destroy  them  but  they  would  disfigure 


IN  FLORIDA  45 

the  palms,  hence  it  would  be  better  to  use  some  colorless  contact 
solution  such  as  Pratt's  Scalecide  and  this  will  also  destroy  other 
kinds  of  scales  on  palms. 

Ants  are  often  very  troublesome,  and  they  carry  various  kinds 
of  scale  and  aphis  which  they  establish  on  cultivated  plants.  O. 
and  W.  Thum's  Tree  Tanglefoot  applied  to  the  trees  or  plants 
which  they  infest  will  prove  an  effective  remedy.  The  lubber 
grasshopper  (Dictyophorus  reticulatus)  is  one  of  the  regular  fea- 
tures of  Florida,  and  is  sure  to  be  found  during  the  growing  season 
wherever  Crinums  or  Amaryllis  are  grown.  They  hatch  out  in 
early  spring,  the  young  being  greenish  black  marked  with  yellow 
or  red.  Later  in  life  they  change  color  and  sometimes  reach  a 
length  of  three  inches ;  at  this  time  they  are  gaudily  painted  with 
yellow,  orange,  black  and  rose  or  red.  They  are  handsome  at 
all  times  but  are  as  evil  as  they  are  beautiful.  I  would  not  say 
that  a  full  grown  lubber  will  eat  as  much  as  a  mule,  but  he  will 
in  a  short  time  destroy  nearly  as  much.  Woe  to  any  of  the 
Amaryllis,  Crinums  or  other  succulent  leaved  plants  that  he 
visits,  for  his  path  is  marked  as  if  by  fire  and  the  sword.  He 
cuts  off  at  or  near  the  ground  the  most  vigorous  leaves,  apparently 
eating  only  at  the  point  where  he  cuts.  One  lubber  at  a  single 
visit  will  often  cut  off  every  leaf  from  a  large  Eucharis  or  Hip- 
peastrum  and  then  go  on  to  the  next  and  destroy  it. 

I  keep  close  watch  in  early  spring,  and  whenever  I  find  the 
newly  hatched  young  I  kill  every  one  of  them,  which  is  usually 
not  difficult  to  do,  for  they  huddle  close  together  on  a  plant  stem 
and  are  not  very  active.  It  is  well  worth  while  to  watch  closely 
and  when  they  are  found  make  a  most  careful  search  in  order 
that  none  may  escape.  I  remember  my  poor  slaughtered  plants 
of  the  year  before  and  take  murderous  revenge.  And  I  find  that 
by  so  doing  there  are  few  left  to  do  damage  later.  Of  course  one 
must  watch  through  the  growing  season,  but  here  they  become 
scarce  by  August. 

They  are  especially  bad  about  swamps  and  they  no  doubt 
migrate  over  the  adjoining  country.  They  seem  to  have  no 
enemies  and  fowls  will  not  touch  them  but  a  friend,  Mr.  William 
Matheson,  believes  that  Guinea  fowls  will  destroy  them. 

Other  grasshoppers  do  considerable  damage  though  none  are 


46  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

so  harmful  as  the  lubber.  If  plants  are  sprayed  with  kerosene 
emulsion  from  time  to  time  it  will  prove  a  tolerable  protection 
against  these  insects  and  bran  mash  and  arsenic  will  help  to 
keep  them  down. 

Some  of  the  injurious  insects  seem  to  come  in  waves  to  such 
an  extent  that  they  threaten  utterly  to  wipe  out  the  vegetation 
on  which  they  prey.  Then  the  tide  appears  to  ebb  and  their 
numbers  are  greatly  diminished  and  the  cultivator  has  a  respite. 
At  one  time  I  became  so  alarmed  over  the  swarm  of  cottony 
scales  that  I  cut  off  and  burned  all  the  small  branches  and  leaves 
of  a  number  of  my  trees.  In  a  short  time  the  scale  entirely 
disappeared  from  nearby  trees  that  I  had  not  touched.  I  have 
seen  a  hedge  of  Acalypha  so  covered  with  this  pest  that  it  looked 
as  though  it  had  been  snowed  on,  yet  in  a  short  time,  without 
any  remedy  being  applied,  all  the  scales  had  disappeared. 

Insects,  however,  constitute  but  a  part  of  the  animated  enemies 
of  the  plant  grower.  The  great  blue  West  Indian  land  crab  has 
become  thoroughly  established  on  our  coasts  from  somewhere  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Palm  Beach  to  Cape  Sable,  and  probably  to 
some  distance  north  of  there  on  the  west  coast  of  the  state. 
Fortunately  it  does  not  extend  far  into  the  interior  at  any  place, 
but  it  makes  up  for  that  by  its  pernicious  activity  along  shore. 
It  swarms  in  the  brackish  marshes  and  is  only  a  little  less  abun- 
dant in  fresh  water  swamps  near  the  sea,  digging  out  its  holes 
into  which  it  hastens  when  disturbed.  During  the  dry  season  it 
is  less  in  evidence,  but  when  the  rains  come  it  commences  activi- 
ties. It  then  goes  out  in  great  numbers  into  cultivated  lands, 
tearing  down  and  destroying  quantities  of  plants.  I  have  seen 
banana  stems  as  large  as  a  man's  thigh  so  pulled  to  pieces  by 
them  that  they  toppled  over,  and  they  can  and  do  invariably 
distinguish  between  a  twenty-five-cent  plant  and  one  that  cost 
five  dollars,  always  taking  the  latter.  They  are  to  some  extent 
nocturnal,  but  in  the  rainy  season  are  much  in  evidence  in  the 
daytime,  especially  in  wet  weather,  and  they  often  move  out 
into  the  highlands.  They  then  live  temporarily  in  holes,  some- 
times in  the  pine  woods;  they  climb  up  trees  and  enter  chicken- 
and  out-houses,  they  invade  dwellings  and  it  has  been  reported 
that  they  sometimes  play  on  the  piano.  Usually  they  swarm 


IN   FLORIDA  47 

over  the  entire  shore  region  sometime  in  early  autumn;  this 
perhaps  being  the  mating  season.  At  such  times  I  have  seen 
acres  so  thickly  covered  with  them  that  they  almost  touched 
each  other. 

Something  may  be  done  in  the  way  of  destroying  them  by 
dipping  a  wad  of  cotton,  oakum,  old  cloth  or  anything  that  is 
an  absorbent  into  gasolene,  putting  it  into  a  fresh  hole  and  tightly 
closing  it  with  mud.  Small  pieces  of  bread  partly  coated  with 
Rough  on  Rats  or  any  roach  paste  will  be  eagerly  eaten  by  them 
with  fatal  results.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  protect  anything 
from  their  ravages.  I  have  set  a  barrel  with  the  heads  knocked 
out  over  some  choice  plant,  pushing  it  well  down  into  the  earth, 
only  to  find  a  little  later  that  one  or  more  of  these  wretches  had 
tunneled  under  the  rim,  come  up  inside,  and  utterly  destroyed 
my  plant.  The  best  protection  I  have  found  is  to  stick  branches 
of  trees  or  palmetto  leaves  closely  around  a  plant  several  rows 
deep,  but  even  this  often  fails. 

Rabbits  are  sometimes  very  destructive,  being  especially  bad 
during  the  dry,  cold  weather  of  winter.  I  have  never  been  able 
to  catch  one  though  I  have  had  several  traps  that  were  war- 
ranted to  get  them  every  time.  A  gun  in  the  hands  of  a  good 
marksman,  or  pieces  of  apple  doped  with  rat  poison  or  roach 
paste,  will  help  to  keep  them  down.  They  are  prone  to  cut  off 
the  leaves  and  stems  of  young  palms,  and  these  may  be  protected 
by  setting  branches  or  palmetto  leaves  around  them  in  the  manner 
directed  for  protecting  from  land  crabs.  Sometimes,  however, 
they  manage  to  push  these  away  and  destroy  the  plant. 

There  is  a  wood  rat  that  makes  his  home  in  and  around  our 
dwellings  that  often  is  very  destructive  to  plants,  especially  to 
epiphytes.  I  have  only  been  able  to  get  a  very  few  of  them  with 
traps  or  poison.  After  one  or  two  are  taken  the  rest  become  wise 
and  rob  the  bait  from  traps  with  immunity.  There  is  a  prepara- 
tion made  by  the  Pasteur  laboratories  which  works  by  inocula- 
tion, that  seems  to  be  a  good  thing. 

I  can  say  but  little  about  the  many  plant  diseases  which  work 
destruction  for  every  grower.  I  have  spoken  of  Orchid  blight 
elsewhere  and  I  consider  sulfur  an  excellent  remedy  for  various 
blights,  or  perhaps  a  preventive.  It  sometimes  happens  that  a 


48  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

lot  of  apparently  healthy  cuttings  suddenly  die  even  when  they 
have  made  fine  calluses,  and  this  is  probably  caused  by  a  fungous 
blight.  I  think  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  wet  the  cuttings  before 
setting  them  and  then  dip  the  lower  parts  of  them  in  dry  sulfur. 
They  should  be  planted  with  a  dibble  so  that  the  sulfur  will  not 
be  brushed  off.  Rose  and  oleander  cuttings  are  particularly 
liable  to  be  troubled  with  this  blight. 

Prevention  is  better  than  cure  and  it  is  always  best,  if  possible, 
to  put,  out  only  healthy,  vigorous  plants  and  then  by  good  care 
keep  them  in  good  condition.  Healthy  specimens  are  less  liable 
to  attack  from  disease,  as  a  rule,  than  sickly  plants  and  have  far 
more  power  to  resist  disease. 


TREATMENT  AND   PLANTING  OF  LOW  GROUND. 

It  oftens  happens  that  the  builder  of  a  home  has  a  piece  of 
lowland,  too  wet  for  gardening  or  ordinary  cultivation,  which  is 
really  an  eyesore.  Now  it  is  quite  possible  to  work  every  foot 
of  such  land  into  the  general  scheme  of  landscaping  and  to  make 
it  as  beautiful  as  any  part  of  the  grounds.  This  is  true  of  brack- 
ish as  well  as  fresh  water  swamp.  Wherever  the  land  is  so  low 
that  it  is  generally  under  water  it  may  easily  be  made  into  a 
pool,  pond  or  lake  with  a  moderate  amount  of  labor,  and  the 
mud  which  is  removed  can  either  be  filled  into  adjoining  low 
land  or  used  as  muck  for  high  land.  I  have  elsewhere  in  this 
work  written  about  the  construction  of  pools,  so  that  it  will  not 
be  necessary  here  to  treat  at  length  on  the  subject.  In  some 
cases  there  will  be  a  considerable  growth  of  scrub  or  even  timber 
on  low  land  which  is  to  be  treated  and  there  may  be  open  spaces 
here  and  there  upon  it.  Such  open  spaces  would  seem  to  be 
natural  locations  for  artificial  bodies  of  water. 

In  laying  out  walks  in  low  land  it  will,  perhaps,  be  found  best 
to  carry  them  in  a  general  way  on  the  higher,  firmer  ground.  If 
the  land  is  partly  timbered  they  may  be  so  laid  out  that  very 
little  cutting  will  need  to  be  done.  If  one  has  rock  it  may  be 
broken  finely  and  two  or  three  inches  laid  over  the  mud  where  the 
walk  is  to  be,  an  inch  of  sand  being  put  on  over  all  for  a  cover. 
I  have  made  such  walks  throughout  several  acres  of  swamp, 
some  of  it  being  so  soft  that  one  would  mire  down  in  it,  but  with 
the  amount  of  material  I  have  mentioned,  a  walk  has  been  made 
that  bears  up  with  any  amount  of  foot  travel,  though  the  whole 
trembles  when  it  is  walked  over.  If  rock  cannot  be  had  marl 
and  sand  or  even  sand  mixed  with  a  little  muck  will  answer, 
though  a  considerable  depth  must  be  put  on  in  order  to  make  it 
bear  up. 

Rustic  seats  can  be  built  in  low  land  if  a  sufficient  amount  of 
rock  or  sand  is  placed  around  them  to  make  it  dry  under  foot. 
Such  seats  may  often  be  so  placed  that  a  fine  view  can  be  had 
from  them  over  artificial  bodies  of  water.  I  have  constructed 

49 


50  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

them  of  rough  rock  and  cement,  simply  building  them  on  the 
mud  with  only  a  slight  enlargement  of  the  base,  and  they  have 
never  cracked  or  settled  in  the  least.  The  outside  should  be 
made  as  rough  and  irregular  as  possible,  while  the  seat  itself  is 
made  smooth  and  easy  in  which  to  sit.  Below  the  seat  the  space 
is  to  be  filled  in  with  broken  rock,  pounded  in  so  that  it  will  not 
settle  and  two  or  three  one-inch  pins  should  be  set  up  vertically 
in  this.  The  cement  in  the  seat  bottom  is  to  be  smoothed  around 
these  and  when  it  has  set  the  pins  are  to  be  pulled  out.  This 
will  allow  the  rainwater  to  drain  Out  so  that  the  seat  will  always 
be  dry.  If  one  has  no  rock,  wooden  seats  can  be  made;  the 
posts  being  driven  deep  into  the  mud.  All  seats  should  have  a 
good  rake  back,  rocking  chair  fashion. 

Open  spaces  may  be  left  in  low  grounds  which  if  mowed  oc- 
casionally would  have  something  the  effect  of  a  lawn.  I  do 
not  as  yet  know  of  any  grass  that  would  answer  for  lawn  in  such 
locations  but  there  is  a  succulent,  half  creeping  plant  (Monniera 
monniera)  that  grows  in  brackish  and  fresh  water  swamps  from 
Maryland  to  Texas  which,  without  any  attention  whatever,  makes 
a  lovely  carpet  in  low,  open  places.  This  charming  little  plant 
bears  its  pale  blue  flowers  in  abundance  throughout  the  greater 
part  of  the  year  and  flourishes  in  much  trodden  places. 

I  have  made  some  experiments  in  planting  my  low  grounds, 
some  of  which  are  very  wet.  The  entire  area  is  subject  to  oc- 
casional overflow  from  Biscayne  Bay  during  hurricane  tides,  and 
I  am  surprised  at  the  large  number  of  things  which  do  well  or 
promise  to  do  so.  Undoubtedly  this  list  might  be  greatly  ex- 
tended but  very  good  effects  can  be  produced  with  the  plants 
here  mentioned. 

Among  the  palms  all  the  species  of  Phoenix  which  I  cultivate 
do  excellently  in  brackish  mud ;  a  number  of  them  being  planted 
where  they  are  surrounded  with  water  during  every  unusually 
high  tide.  Here  they  grow  with  the  greatest  vigor,  their  leaves 
being  of  a  rich,  intense  green  and  that  without  any  fertilizer. 
The  list  includes  P.  reclinata,  P.  tennis,  P.farinifera,  P.  rupicola, 
P.  cycadifolia,  P.  tomentosa,  P.  paradenia,  P.  paludosa,  P.  canari- 
ensis,  P.  pumila,  P.  humilis,  P.  senegalensis  and  P.  melanocarpa. 
I  have  not  tried  P.  sylvestris  and  P.  dactylifera  on  low  ground  but 
believe  they  would  succeed.  All  the  Inodes  (better  known  under 


IN  FLORIDA  51 

the  name  of  Sabal)  do  equally  as  well  as  the  species  of  Phoenix. 
I  have  tried  with  perfect  success  /.  umbraculifera,  I.  havanensis, 
I.  megacarpa,  I.  mexicana  and  everyone  knows  that  our  native 
cabbage  palmetto,  /.  palmetto,  is  perfectly  at  home  in  all  kinds 
of  marsh.  So  are  the  varieties  of  the  saw  palmetto,  Serenoa 
serrulata,  some  forms  of  which  assume  almost  tree-like  propor- 
tions in  such  conditions. 

Cocos  nucifera,  the  common  coconut,  is  a  moisture  and  salt 
loving  tree  and  I  have  seen  specimens  flourishing  in  locations 
wrhere  their  roots  were  bathed  by  tolerably  salt  tides;  it  is  prob- 
able that  other  species  of  this  genus  will  do  well  in  marshes. 
The  Florida  royal  palm,  Oreodoxa  floridana,  usually  grows  in 
swamps  and  often  those  which  are  brackish.  The  Cuban  species, 
0.  regia,  and  the  palmiste  of  the  Caribbean  islands,  Oreodoxa 
oleracea,  also  do  well  in  our  low  lands.  Two  comparatively 
new  Florida  palms,  Acoelorraphe  wrighti  and  A.  arborescens,  both 
well  worthy  of  cultivation,  grow  in  swamps  which  are  sometimes 
brackish.  All  the  Thrinax  do  finely,  so  far  as  I  have  tried  them, 
in  low,  brackish  soil.  Pritchardia  pacified  is  doing  finely  in  a 
brackish  swamp  at  Coconut  Grove,  and  the  two  dwarf  palms 
which  inhabit  the  northern  half  of  the  state,  Rhapidophyllum 
hystrix  and  Sabal  adansonii  are  moisture  loving  species. 

Coccolobis  uvifera,  or  Shore  grape,  a  most  beautiful,  broad 
leafed  tree,  grows  everywhere  along  the  shores  of  South  Florida 
and  does  finely  on  high  ground  as  well  as  in  low  lands.  Most  of 
the  bananas  do  well  in  low  land  but  should  have  partial  drainage. 
Rough  lemons,  limes  and  sour  oranges  will  grow  in  quite  moist 
land,  so  will  the  calabash,  Crescentia  cujete;  while  C.  cucurbitana, 
our  native  species  and  a  handsome  tree,  will  flourish  where  it  is 
often  surrounded  by  tide.  It  also  inhabits  high  hammocks. 
There  are  believed  to  be  two  species  of  cocoa  plums  native  here, 
Chrysobalanus  icaco  and  C.  pellocarpus;  both  grow  in  wet  land  and 
are  quite  ornamental,  and  are  fine  for  forming  masses.  Several 
of  the  Eucalyptus  do  well  in  even  brackish  swamps  which  are 
not  too  low,  such  as  E.  globulus,  E.  robusta,  E.  rudis  and  others. 
Paritium  datum,  a  beautiful  Cuban  tree  which  probably  grows 
on  our  coasts,  blooms  the  year  through  and  is  at  home  in  salt 
or  fresh  swamps;  so  are  P.  tiliaceum  and  P.  abutiloides,  also 
natives.  All  these  do  well  on  high  ground. 

5 


52  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

A  native  elderberry,  Sambucus  intermedia,  grows  in  the  wettest 
swamps,  fresh  or  salt  and  is  very  ornamental, — it  produces  its 
large  heads  of  snowy  flowers  in  great  abundance.  Quite  a  num- 
ber of  bamboos  do  finely  in  wet  ground,  among  them  Arundo 
donax,  Bambusa  disticha,  B.  argentea  and  the  common  giant 
bamboo,  B.  vulgaris,  a  glorious  plant. 

Many  of  the  aquatics  will  grow  in  slightly  brackish  water  and 
fine  effects  may  be  produced  by  introducing  these  into  artificial 
pools.  Our  native  Acrostichums  are  among  the  noblest  of  ferns 
and  they  produce  a  fine  effect  when  planted  along  the  borders  of 
ponds  or  lakes.  Osmunda  spectabilis  and  Blechnum  serrulatum 
grow  in  very  wet,  brackish  soil  and  are  fine;  Nephrolepis  biser- 
rata  and  N.  exaltata,  our  native  sword  ferns,  occupy  all  habitations 
from  the  tops  of  trees  to  slightly  brackish  swamps. 

The  following  plants  in  addition  to  those  mentioned  above  do 
well  in  Florida  swamps  and  low  lands,  all  of  them  in  slightly 
brackish  soil.  Ficus  aurea,  F.  brevifolia,  Melaleuca  leucadendron 
or  Cajeput  tree,  Delonix  regia  in  soil  not  too  wet,  Pandanus 
veitchi,  P.  sanderiana,  P.  baptisti,  and  P.  candelabrum,  Ravenala 
madagascariensis .  Nipa  fruiticans ,  a  magnificent  palm  from  the 
East  Indies  flourishes  in  the  wettest,  most  brackish  situations. 
The  Strelitzias,  Alpinias,  Cordia  sebestina,  Hamelia  patens,  Hibis- 
cus rosa-sinensis  and  H.  mutabilis,  the  Oleanders  and  Rhodomyrtus 
tomentosa  are  also  useful  in  this  connection. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  list  and  from  what  has  been 
said  that  a  great  variety  of  attractive  vegetation  may  be  made  to 
grow  in  low  and  swampy  places,  that  a  considerable  area  of 
Florida  which  has  not  only  been  considered  worthless  but  even 
a  nuisance  can,  with  a  limited  amount  of  labor  and  intelligence, 
without  the  trouble  of  draining,  be  made  into  an  earthly  para- 
dise. On  the  trees  in  such  grounds  many  of  the  most  lovely 
Orchids  and  epiphytes  will  succeed;  Philodendrons  and  other 
aroid  vines  as  well  as  many  different  climbers,  can  be  made  to  cover 
the  trees.  I  am  confidently  looking  forward  to  a  time  when  my 
pestiferous  swamp,  which  in  places  was  a  miry  bog,  will  be  the 
most  charming  spot  on  all  my  place,  when  instead  of  a  waste  of 
weeds  and  sawgrass  it  will  be  filled  with  the  beauty  and  fragrance 
of  ornamental  plants  and  flowers. 


MISCELLANEOUS  ORNAMENTS. 

Elsewhere  I  have  devoted  an  entire  chapter  to  the  subject 
of  fern  pools  and  similar  adornments.  In  this  I  shall  treat  of  a 
variety  of  artificial  constructions  intended  to  be  ornamental 
but  often  quite  otherwise. 

The  average  person  who  locates  in  Florida,  either  for  the 
winter  or  permanently,  in  a  region  where  there  is  open  water, 
is  desirous  of  having  a  water  front.  A  view  over  the  water  is 
always  delightful;  it  appeals  even  to  those  who  are  absolutely 
destitute  of  taste.  Many  wish  to  own  a  boat,  to  fish  or  have 
a  wharf;  hence  a  water  front  is  always  a  desideratum. 

No  sooner  does  the  average  man  possess  a  water  front  than  he 
considers  it  necessary  to  build  a  sea  wall  along  it.  In  nine 
cases  out  of  ten  there  isn't  the  slightest  need  for  it:  he  simply 
builds  it  because  it  is  supposed  to  be  the  correct  thing,  because 
it  is  the  fashion  to  do  so,  just  as  he  would  wear  a  collar  around 
his  neck  a  foot  high  if  the  other  fellows  did.  There  are  cases 
where  the  sea  or  a  stream  is  encroaching  on  the  land  and  a  wall 
is  needed,  but  it  is  safe  to  say  that  as  a  general  thing  it  is  not, 
and  that  it  is  only  a  blot  on  the  landscape.  Each  owner  usually 
makes  a  straight  wall  a  little  different  from  that  of  his  neighbor; 
each  conforming  with  the  line  of  his  front,  and  when  all  is  done 
it  gives  one  the  impression  that  the  country  is  involved  in  war 
and  that  the  whole  construction  is  a  line  of  fortifications,  that 
only  a  few  guns  mounted  at  proper  intervals  are  needed  to  put 
the  place  in  a  state  of  defence. 

Most  of  the  shores  of  all  bodies  of  brackish  water  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  state  are  heavily  fringed  with  a  growth  of  mangroves 
and  other  trees  that  love  the  salt  of  the  sea.  No  device  that  was 
ever  constructed  could  equal  this  growth  as  a  protection  against 
the  encroachment  of  the  ocean.  It  is  a  very  rare  thing  that 
even  the  hardest  hurricane  that  visits  this  region  does  any  serious 
injury  to  this  nature-planted  sea  wall.  The  mangroves  with 
their  wonderfully  arched,  stilted  roots  and  their  strange  manner 
of  propagation  are  among  the  greatest  objects  of  wonder  that 

53 


54  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

the  stranger  sees  here.  Nevertheless  the  owner  gets  an  ax, 
or  has  some  one  else  get  it,  and  slaughters  every  tree.  Then  he 
digs  a  trench  with  infinite  labor  and  builds  a  cement  or  rock 
wall  which  the  next  severe  hurricane  is  almost  certain  to  demolish. 
When  he  builds  a  hideous  house  the  vegetation  that  he  has 
planted  is  pretty  sure  to  cover  it  up  and  in  a  few  years  hides 
much  of  its  ugliness,  but  in  the  case  of  a  sea  wall  it  is  different. 
As  it  is  exposed  to  storms,  the  salt  spray  or  heavy  seas,  it  is 
rare,  indeed,  that  anything  can  be  got  to  cover  and  hide  it  in  the 
way  of  vegetation. 

One  of  the  things  of  which  the  average  home  builder  almost 
makes  a  fetish  is  what  is  called  a  rockery.  This  consists  usually 
of  a  rather  regular  pile  of  stones,  often  smooth  and  rounded; 
sometimes  broken  pieces  6f  plaster  images  or  crockeryware  are 
introduced  and  mingled  with  the  pile  to  add  to  the  effect.  The 
whole  is  generally  built  on  level  ground  and  is  often  surmounted 
with  a  vase  containing  plants ;  sometimes  a  few  plants  are  grown 
on  the  sides  of  the  pile.  It  is  hard  to  say  what  the  thing  is 
intended  for;  perhaps  there  is  a  sort  of  idea  in  the  mind  of  the 
builder  that  it  resembles  a  natural  stack  of  rocks. 

Rockwork  should  always  appear  as  though  it  was  a  natural 
ledge  or  formation,  a  part  of  the  landscape:  it  should  never  have 
any  crockeryware  or  artificial  stone  or  plaster  mixed  with  it. 
It  should  be  constructed,  if  possible,  along  a  slope  and  should 
be  made  to  appear  like  a  natural  outcrop.  It  requires  con- 
siderable art  to  lay  up  an  artificial  ledge  and  make  it  look  natural. 
However,  any  defect  in  construction  will  be  remedied  to  some 
extent  by  the  plants  and  vines  which  should  be  put  on  it.  Back 
of  such  a  ledge  the  space  should  be  filled  with  good  soil  and  in 
it  a  variety  of  herbaceous  plants  and  small  shrubs  may  be  set. 
On  the  ledge  and  in  its  crevices  succulents  and  plants  which  will 
stand  drought  should  be  planted,  such  things  as  the  Crassulas, 
Sedum,  Echeveria,  Bryophyllum  and  similar  things.  If  one  has 
water  so  that  it  may  be  sprinkled  the  Zebrinas  and  a  variety  of 
creepers  will  flourish.  Small  species  of  Agaves  are  fine  in  such 
places  and  the  native  Ampelopsis  or  Virginia  creeper  will  creep 
over  it  sometimes  almost  too  rampantly.  Rhoeo  discolor, 
commonly  known  as  Tradescantia  discolor  and  some  of  the  Aloes 


is 

.Is- 


is 


Bg 

1 


IN   FLORIDA  55 

do  well  here.     It  may  be  constructed  either  in  shade  or  sunshine. 

Sundials  are  neat  ornaments  and  are  more  or  less  useful.  They 
must,  of  course,  be  set  where  the  sun  will  fall  on  them  all  day 
but  they  should  never  be  put  out  in  the  middle  of  a  lawn.  A 
spot  along  a  path  with  trees  or  shrubs  to  the  north  and  open 
space  in  other  directions  is  good. 

Statuary  should  never  be  introduced  into  small  grounds,  in 
fact  it  would  be  better  to  leave  it  out  of  the  ordinary  garden 
altogether.  The  most  of  the  statuary  that  we  see  in  grounds  is 
entirely  lacking  in  artistic  qualities  or  is  even  hideous.  As  a 
general  thing  it  is  most  appropriate  in  formal  gardens  and  it 
ought  to  be  placed  near  dwellings  or  in  the  most  artificial  part 
of  the  grounds.  The  same  thing  may  be  said  about  fountains, 
for  the  most  part.  They  are  highly  artificial  and  generally  do 
not  look  well  in  any  natural  scheme  of  landscape  gardening.  I 
cannot  understand  the  motive  which  leads  so  many  designers  of 
fountains  to  construct  figures  of  animals  and  humans  who  throw 
water  from  their  mouths.  One  sees  such  things  everywhere  in 
this  country  and  in  Europe,  and  they  seem  to  me  to  be  in  the 
worst  of  taste.  Fountains  are  all  right  in  formal  gardens  where 
they  harmonize  well  with  the  regular  designs  and  architectural 
surroundings. 

Rustic  seats  are  an  attractive  feature  in  a  natural  garden  if 
properly  built  and  placed.  They  should  be  set  in  rather  secluded 
places;  if  convenient,  in  shaded  nooks  where  a  side  path  leads 
to  them.  It  should  be  remembered  that  they  are  built  for 
comfort,  to  lounge  and  rest  or  read  in,  therefore  the  seat  itself 
should  be  made  low;  it  should  tip  back  somewhat,  and  the  back 
should  have  a  good  slope.  It  is  well  to  keep  the  rocking  chair 
idea  in  mind  when  one  of  these  is  being  constructed. 

Bridges  should  only  be  built  where  they  are  really  needed,  never 
for  mere  ornament,  and  this  remark  may  well  be  applied  to  all 
kinds  of  structures  used  in  making  an  ornamental  garden.  A 
bridge  is  allowable  where  it  is  necessary  to  cross  a  body  of  water 
and  it  should  be,  in  a  natural  garden,  of  some  simple  and  quiet 
design.  In  Florida,  owing  to  the  warm  climate  and  abundant 
rainfall,  wood  is  a  poor  material  to  use  in  rustic  work,  as  it 
ordinarily  decays  rapidly.  In  the  southeast  part  of  the  state 


56  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

we  have  an  abundance  of  soft  limestone  which  has  a  rough 
surface  and  is  an  admirable  material  for  all  kinds  of  work  which 
is  exposed  to  the  weather.  In  many  other  parts  of  the  state 
rock  of  some  kind  can  be  obtained  which  can  be  used  for  rustic 
effects.  In  building  rough  rock  bridges  it  is  best  to  put  down 
piling  to  a  good  depth,  on  which  concrete  or  rock  piers  should 
rest;  though  of  course  if  one  can  reach  bed  rock  it  is  better.  If 
for  a  foot  bridge  only,  the  arch  may  be  light,  but  for  vehicles  it 
should  be  of  reinforced  concrete,  the  exposed  surfaces  being 
finished  with  rough  rock.  If  wood  is  used  it  should  be  peeled 
(which  detracts  greatly  from  its  attractiveness)  and  the  whole 
covered  with  two  or  more  coats  of  Carbolineum. 

Arbors  and  summer  houses  are  not  so  much  in  fashion  now  as 
pergolas.  A  properly  built  pergola,  either  attached  to  a  dwelling 
or  detached,  and  covered  with  vines  is  an  attractive  object, 
provided  it  is  well  kept.  It  is,  however,  best  to  make  the  posts 
of  concrete  or  better  of  rough  rock.  This  remark  is  applicable 
to  all  arbors,  trellises  and,  in  fact,  to  all  structures.  No  wood 
should  ever  be  used  in  construction  in  or  near  the  ground  in 
Florida,  especially  the  warmer  part  of  the  state. 

Entrances  to  grounds  are  often  marked  by  some  kind  of 
architectural  ornaments:  piers  or  arches  or  in  small  places  posts 
set  in  at  the  side  of  the  road.  In  extensive  places  a  gatekeeper's 
lodge  is  sometimes  built  in  addition  to  the  work  at  the  entrance 
and  the  whole  may  be  quite  elaborate.  All  such  work  should 
be  made  of  cement,  brick,  or  better  of  rough  rock.  The  same 
thing  may  be  said  of  walls  which  are  used  to  enclose  grounds  or 
separate  one  part  of  them  from  another.  It  is  a  good  idea  to 
cover  such  structures  with  vines,  preferably  those  which  cling 
by  means  of  adventive  roots.  In  the  northern  part  of  the  state 
the  common  English  ivy  (Hedera  helix)  is  fine  for  this  purpose 
and  throughout  the  greater  part  of  Florida  Ficus  repens,  the 
trailing  rubber  plant,  does  admirably.  Our  native  woodbine, 
which  grows  generally  throughout  the  state,  is  a  good  plant, 
but  it  loses  its  leaves  more  or  less  in  winter.  Some  of  the  Big- 
nonias  are  fine  for  this  purpose. 


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FICUS    XITIDA. 

A  magnificent  specimen  of  this  Oriental  species  on  the  estate  of  Charles  Deering  at  Buena 
Vista,  Florida.  This  tree  is  widely  used  in  the  tropics  for  avenue  planting,  a  purpose  for  which 
it  is  admirably  adapted.  Its  foliage  is  of  a  rich,  glossy  green  color.  (Fig.  12) 


SHADE  TREES  FOR  ROADS  AND  STREETS  IN  FLORIDA. 

There  are  a  number  of  qualities  which  may  be  considered  al- 
most absolutely  essential  in  the  makeup  of  a  shade  tree  for  roads 
and  streets. 

First, — It  should  be  what  its  name  indicates,  a  shade  tree;  it 
should  have  a  moderately  smooth,  straight  trunk,  a  spreading 
head  with  a  mass  of  clean,  bright,  healthy  foliage  which  it  re- 
tains in  good  color  throughout  the  whole,  or  nearly  the  whole 
year. 

Second, — It  should  be  adapted  to  its  environment.  Such  a 
tree  for  Florida  should  flourish  in  our  poor,  sandy  soil  with  a 
small  amount  of  care  or  fertilizer.  It  should  be  able  to  with- 
stand dust,  drought  or  excessive  rain ;  it  should  not  be  too  tender 
and  it  should  stand  up  against  high  winds  or  hurricanes  with  a 
minimum  of  damage. 

Third, — It  should  be  easy  to  propagate,  though  not  to  the 
extent  of  sprouting  too  readily  or  propagating  itself  too  freely 
from  seed  along  the  roads  or  streets. 

Fourth, — It  should  be,  so  far  as  our  knowledge  goes,  free  from 
serious  diseases  or  the  attacks  of  very  bad  insects,  though  of 
course  these  things  are  liable  to  be  introduced  at  any  time. 

Fifth, — It  should  be  free  from  vicious  thorns.  In  addition  to 
these  it  would  be  well  if  it  were  long  lived,  if  its  leaves  were  not 
too  large  and  if  its  fruit  did  not  greatly  litter  or  cumber  the  way. 
It  is  not  at  all  likely  that  any  tree  will  ever  be  found  that  will 
have  all  or  nearly  all  the  good  qualities  mentioned  above; — the 
only  thing  we  can  hope  for  is  to  find  one  or  more  that  will  have 
the  most  of  them. 

So  far  as  the  planting  of  ornamentals  is  concerned  Florida  is 
a  new  country  and  we  are  yet  in  the  experimental  stage.  Our 
knowledge,  gained  in  regions  to  the  north  of  this,  is  of  little  value 
to  us  here.  We  must  plant  tropical  and  semi-tropical  stuff 
here  almost  altogether,  and  only  a  few  things  have  really  been  at 
all  thoroughly  tried  as  shade  trees  here. 

First,  some  of  the  palms  have  been  recommended  and  a  few  of 

57 


58  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

them  are  being  tried.  The  common  coconut  has  been  planted 
considerably  in  the  extreme  lower  part  of  the  state  as  a  road  and 
street  tree  but  while  it  is  a  most  rapid  grower,  is  healthy  and  free 
from  serious  insect  pests  here  so  far,  and  is  one  of  the  most  mag- 
nificent objects  in  nature,  I  consider  it  unfit  for  any  such  pur- 
poses. Its  stem  is  almost  invariably  crooked,  oftentimes  ex- 
ceedingly so,  hence  it  never  forms  a  good  line  and,  although 
experiments  have  been  made  with  a  hope  of  forcing  it  to  grow 
straight  they  have  totally  failed.  Its  leaves  do  not  have  a  suffi- 
cient spread  to  shade  a  broad  road  properly  even  if  it  grew  straight. 
But  when  the  tree  has  attained  a  considerable  height  there 
would  always  be  great  risk  frorn  falling  leaves  and  nuts  along  any 
much  frequented  thoroughfare.  I  have  seen  a  woman  knocked 
senseless  by  being  struck  with  the  butt  of  a  leaf  which  did  not 
fall  over  ten  feet. 

Some  of  the  other  Cocos  have  been  used  for  street  and  high- 
way planting,  particularly  C.  plumosa  which  is  a  very  beautiful 
tree,  but  with  the  same  defect  as  all  other  palms  which  we  are  likely 
to  plant  here, — their  leaves  do  not  spread  wide  enough  to  shade 
an  ordinary  street  or  road.  Washingtonia  robusta  is  planted  to 
some  extent  here  and  it  becomes  a  noble  tree;  so  does  the  royal 
palm,  but  the  latter  will  not  do  well  on  dry  pine  land.  This 
tree  is  often  used  for  avenues  in  Cuba  but  it  makes  but  little 
shade.  Several  of  the  palms  are  fine  for  planting  along  walks 
or  byroads.  Our  common  cabbage  palmetto  is  excellent  for 
this  purpose  and  is  hardy  everywhere  in  the  state. 

The  Australian  pine,  Casuarina  equisetifolia,  which  is  not  at 
all  closely  related  to  the  pines,  is  used  for  street  and  road  shading 
more  extensively  than  any  other  tree  in  tropical  Florida.  It  be- 
longs to  a  family  whose  relationships  are  uncertain  and  it  inhabits 
tropical  seashores  of  the  Australian  region.  Although  a  native 
of  the  torrid  zone  it  seems  strangely  out  of  place  in  it,  for  it  looks 
something  like  a  slender  white  pine,  and  one  might  expect  to 
find  it  growing  wild  among  the  mountains  of  some  boreal  country ; 
however,  it  has  some  excellent  qualifications  for  a  road  and  street 
tree.  It  is  one  of  the  most  rapid  growers  in  the  world,  it  flour- 
ishes in  our  poor  pine  land  with  a  limited  amount  of  culture  and 
fertilizer,  its  slender,  wand-like  branches  and  narrow  foliage  bend 


IN   FLORIDA  59 

before  hard  winds,  hence  it  stands  the  storms  fairly  well.  It  is 
generally  healthy  and  free  from  insect  pests,  though  of  late  it  is 
beginning  to  be  troubled  by  a  boring  beetle ;  and  it  is  easily  propa- 
gated from  seed,  which  it  produces  in  great  abundance.  Yet  to 
me  and  many  others  it  does  not  seem  to  be  a  fit  tree  for  plant- 
ing along  our  highways:  until  it  reaches  a  considerable  age  the 
lower  limbs  are  the  longest  and  must  be  cut  away  in  order  to 
allow  of  free  passage  along  the  road.  It  does  not  cast  much 
shade  on  account  of  the  tenuity  of  its  foliage.  It  produces  a  hard 
seed-vessel  something  like  a  prickly  cone  and  it  is  claimed  that 
these  are  injurious  to  automobile  tires.  Certainly  they  are  not 
pleasant  to  the  feet  of  barefoot  children  and  they  sometimes 
literally  cover  the  highway. 

But  it  is  the  appearance,  the  tone,  the  general  color  of  the  tree 
that,  it  seems  to  me,  is  its  greatest  drawback.  It  has  a  sad,  dull, 
gloomy  tint  that  is  especially  depressing,  that  is  suggestive  of 
cemeteries,  of  the  end  of  life,  and  of  the  dark  and  silent  tomb. 
This  is  a  land  of  clear  skies,  of  illimitable  light  and  sunshine,  a 
land  of  glorious  color,  and  it  seems  to  me  that  such  a  depressing 
tree  is  entirely  out  of  place  in  it. 

There  are  a  number  of  trees  that  bid  fair  to  be  useful  for  road 
and  street  planting  and  ought  at  least  to  be  tried  out;  one  of  these 
is  the  mango,  Mangifera  indica.  It  has  a  clean,  straight  stem, 
a  wide  spreading,  compact  and  shapely  top.  Its  long,  thick, 
glossy  leaves  are  exceedingly  beautiful,  especially  when  they 
first  develop,  as  at  that  time  they  have  a  marvellous  range  of 
tints  varying  from  pale  ashy  pink  to  reddish  brown  and  rich 
wine  color.  So  far  it  is  generally  healthy  and  free  from  insect 
attacks;  its  fruit  is  valuable  and  it  stands  up  against  winds  well. 
Several  stems  often  come  from  each  seed  and  all  or  only  one  may 
be  left  to  grow. 

Albizzia  lebbek,  Woman's  Tongue,  is  a  tree  much  used  for  road 
planting  in  the  Old  World.  I  have  a  splendid  specimen  in  my 
grounds  about  nine  years  planted  that  has  a  head  more  than  fifty 
feet  across  and  forty  in  height  with  a  trunk  diameter  in  excess 
of  two  feet.  It  has  attractive  pinnate  leaves  and  heads  of 
silvery  and  green  stamens  all  summer  and  it  appears  to  stand 
well  against  high  wind.  Its  leaves  are  retained  throughout  the 


60  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

greater  part  of  the  year,  falling  in  the  spring  when  the  new  foliage 
almost  pushes  off  the  old.  It  has  not  seeded  very  well  here  but 
seed  could  be  imported  in  abundance.  Its  broad  whitish  pods 
are,  however,  one  of  its  attractive  features. 

The  Indian  Laurel,  Ficus  nitida,  is  not  a  laurel  at  all  nor  any 
kin  thereto,  but  one  of  the  figs.  It  has  rather  small  glossy,  thick 
leaves  and  forms  an  immense,  rounded  head  of  intensely  deep 
green  foliage.  It  has  been  used  in  Key  West  for  a  street  tree  with 
success  and  is  a  great  favorite  for  roads  in  Cuba  and  many  parts 
of  the  Orient.  It  stands  hurricanes  pretty  well  and  holds  its 
leaves  all  the  year.  It  may  be  propagated  from  seed  or  by  slitting 
and  balling  the  limbs  with  sphagnum,  or  it  can  be  grown  from  cut- 
tings. Another  fig,  Ficus  religiosa,  the  Sacred  Ti,  Bo  or  Pipal 
Tree  of  the  Hindus,  everywhere  held  sacred  in  India,  will  probably 
make  a  fairly  good  road  tree.  It  is  a  rapid  grower,  with  thick, 
shining,  heart  shaped  leaves  which  are  drawn  out  to  a  long  point, 
and  it  has  a  fine  rounded  head.  It  is  used  in  Havana  as  a  shade 
tree  on  the  beautiful  Prado  and  stands  hurricanes  fairly  well. 

The  Circassian  Bean  (Adenanthera  pavonina)  is  a  handsome, 
spreading  tree  with  delicate,  compound  leaves  and  spikes  of 
brownish  flowers  and  spiral  pods  with  brilliant  red  beans.  I  have 
a  fine  tree  some  twenty  feet  high  which  stands  winds  well  and  is 
a  fairly  rapid  grower.  There  is  another  tree  in  my  grounds  which 
I  am  watching  with  great  interest  the  Myrobalan  (Phyllanthus 
emblica),  which  is  without  doubt  one  of  the  loveliest  trees,  so  far 
as  growth  and  foliage  are  concerned,  that  I  have  ever  seen.  It 
has  long,  wand-like  shoots,  slender,  delicate  pinnate  leaves  and  in 
appearance  resembles,  to  some  extent,  a  bamboo.  It  is  called  a 
large  shrub  or  small  tree  in  the  books,  but  my  specimen  is  twenty- 
five  feet  high  and  has  a  trunk  diameter  of  over  a  foot,  the  result 
of  some  six  years  growth;  De  Candolle  says  it  becomes  a  large 
tree.  It  would  have  to  be  propagated  from  foreign  grown  seed 
until  it  could  be  got  into  bearing  here.  It  is  grown  as  far  north 
as  Japan  but  Reasoner  reports  that  it  is  not  quite  hardy  at 
Oneco. 

The  mahogany  (Swietenia  mahagoni)  is  a  native  of  the  Florida 
keys  and  the  extreme  lower  mainland  of  the  state,  growing  in 
almost  any  kind  of  land  from  swamp  to  high  hammock.  Where 


AN    AVENUE   OF    TAMARINDS, 

The  Oriental  Tamarind  is  one  of  the  most  graceful  of  tropical  trees.  It  grows  well  in  extreme  south 
Florida  and  is  desirable  for  street  and  avenue  planting.  The  avenue  here  shown  is  at  Rio  de  Janeiro, 
Brazil.  (Fig.  13) 


THE    CARISSA   AS   A   HEDGE   PLANT. 

The  Carissa  or  Natal  Plum  (Carissa  grandi flora)  makes  an  excellent  hedge  plant  for  regions 
not  subject  to  severe  frosts.  It  stands  trimming  well,  and  its  stout  thorns  render  it  practically 
impenetrable.  (Fig.  14) 


IN  FLORIDA  61 

it  has  room  it  makes  a  handsome  tree  with  a  good  trunk  and  a 
fine  spreading  head.  The  leaves  are  rich  green  and  pinnate,  the 
leaflets  one  sided  and  glossy ;  they  remain  on  the  tree  until  late 
winter  or  early  spring,  suddenly  turn  yellow  and  fall,  and  are 
quickly  replaced  by  the  new  foliage.  It  is  a  rapid  grower  and 
will  do  well  on  ordinary  pine  land  with  a  little  fertilizer. 

Inga  dulcis  is  a  native  of  the  Oriental  Tropics,  is  cultivated  to 
some  extent  in  the  lower  part  of  this  state,  and  is  apparently 
hardy  in  the  Miami  region.  It  has  wand-like  branches  and 
delicate  leaflets  in  pairs,  it  has  a  few  small  thorns,  and  seed  pods 
which  contain  an  edible  pulp.  It  is  a  decidedly  ornamental  tree 
of  rapid  growth,  is  perfectly  at  home  in  the  poorest  of  ordinary 
pine  land,  and  will  get  on  with  little  fertilizer  and  attention.  It 
is  sometimes  placed  in  the  genus  Pithecolobium. 

For  planting  farther  north  where  considerable  hardiness  is 
required  the  water  oak  (Quercus  nigra)  should  be  an  excellent 
street  and  road  tree.  It  has  a  magnificent,  large  round  head 
covered  with  evergreen  foliage  of  a  fine  glossy  character,  is  a 
rapid  grower  and  will  do  well  in  any  but  the  poorest  soil.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  the  live  oak  (Quercus  virginiana)  which  is 
one  of  the  most  majestic  trees  of  North  America.  Q.  laurifolia, 
laurel  oak,  and  Q.  phellos,  willow  oak,  are  noble  trees  and  should 
succeed  on  any  fairly  good  soil.  Gordonia  lasianthus  (Loblolly 
Bay)  is  a  handsome,  native  tree  with  evergreen  leaves  and  large 
white  flowers.  It  grows  in  swamps  and  low  grounds  but  will 
flourish  on  much  higher,  drier  ground,  and  would  probably  make 
a  fine  road  and  street  tree.  It  is,  however,  rather  short  lived. 
The  Magnolia  (M .  foetidd)  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent  of  trees 
and  it  will  do  exceedingly  well  on  high  pine  land.  Although  its 
large  leaves  might  suffer  in  high  winds  I  think  it  would  be  an 
excellent  road  tree  in  the  cooler  part  of  the  state. 

Although  not  a  very  rapid  grower  the  camphor  tree  (Cinna- 
momum  camphora)  is  a  most  handsome  tree  eventually  attaining 
to  large  size,  and  it  should  stand  high  winds  well.  The  white 
elm,  red  maple  and  umbrella  tree  might  be  mentioned  among 
trees  for  road  purposes  up  the  state;  although  deciduous,  they 
are  beautiful  and  worthy. 

In  Cuba  they  have  a  fashion  of  shading  their  roads  with  a 


62  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

large  variety  of  trees  planted  as  an  irregular  border  along  each 
side  of  the  drive.  In  clearing  up  the  country,  royal  palms, 
Ceibas,  Ingas,  Ficus,  Spondias  and  other  trees  which  naturally 
grow  at  the  sides  of  the  highways  are  allowed  to  stand.  Where 
there  happen  to  be  open  spaces  young  trees  are  planted,  and  in 
some  cases  vines  and  shrubs.  As  a  result  the  roads  are  beauti- 
fully shaded  and  as  one  drives  along  them  the  eye  is  greeted  with 
a  constantly  changing  panorama  of  varying  green.  Shrubs 
fill  up  many  of  the  openings  and  flowering  vines  scramble  over 
the  whole  in  places,  often  covered  with  gorgeous  blossoms.  Here 
there  will  be  a  spot  so  densely  shaded  that  inside  there  is  twi- 
light at  midday;  farther  on  it  is  more  open  and  one  can  have 
glimpses  of  a  lovely  country.  No  description  can  give  any  idea 
of  the  magnificence  and  beauty  of  some  of  these  Cuban  highways. 
I  cannot  too  strongly  recommend  that  this  system  be,  at  least, 
tried  here  in  Florida.  In  the  ordinary  way  of  planting  trees 
along  roads  or  streets  in  straight  rows,  if  one  tree  dies  it  makes  a 
very  bad  break  which  can  rarely  be  satisfactorily  filled,  whereas 
if  the  mixed  system  is  adopted  the  loss  of  a  tree  makes  little 
difference. 

There  are  many  other  trees  of  which  we  know  but  little  which 
would  probably  succeed  along  our  roads  and  not  only  make  good 
shade  but  would  bear  beautiful  flowers.  Instead  of  rows  of 
dreary  Australian  pines  which  only  add  to  the  monotony  of  our 
pine  woods  we  should  have  something  to  please  the  eye  and 
remind  us  of  the  glory  of  the  tropics. 

A  few  words  may  be  said  on  the  planting  and  care  of  roadside 
trees.  It  is  worse  than  useless  to  grub  holes  among  the  palmettos 
in  the  pine  woods  and  plant  trees  therein.  Every  year  or  so 
forest  fires  rage  through  the  pines  and  many  of  the  trees  which 
have  cost  good  money  and  hard  labor  go  up  in  flame  and  smoke. 
A  space  sufficiently  wide  should  be  grubbed  and  cleared  of  rub- 
bish on  each  side  of  the  road  that  the  trees  may  grow  in  safety 
therein.  This  should  be  kept  clear  as  long  as  there  is  the  least 
danger  of  forest  fires.  Holes  of  good  size  should  be  dug 
and  some  kind  of  fertilizer  mixed  with  the  soil.  The  trees 
will  need  occasional  hoeing  and  fertilizing,  and  it  goes  without 


11 


A   PHILIPPINE   ORCHID. 

Phalanopsis  schilleriana,  one  of  the  most  beautifu'.  orchids  in  the  world,  is  here  shown  grow- 
ing on  a  tree  in  the  hammock  at  The  Sentinels.  This  plant  and  a  companion  species,  P.  ama- 
bilis,  have  done  remarkably  well  here.  (Fig.  16) 


IN  FLORIDA  63 

saying  that  they  do  not  need  any  cultivation  by  cattle,  hogs  or 
horses. 

A  time  will  come,  I  hope,  when  in  each  county  we  shall  have  a 
competent  person  as  superintendent  of  trees  and  tree  planting 
along  our  roads,  not  a  politician  but  a  devoted  lover  of  them,  not 
only  for  their  utility  but  for  their  beauty.  This  superintendent 
should  have  intelligent  laborers  to  help  and  a  sufficient  fund 
properly  to  carry  on  the  work. 

I  can  look  ahead  in  imagination  to  a  time  when  Florida  will  be 
netted  with  a  magnificent  system  of  roads ;  when  these  roads  will 
be  shaded  everywhere  with  the  most  glorious  trees  that  the 
warmer  parts  of  the  earth  produce.  What  a  feeling  of  pride 
every  citizen  will  have  in  such  a  system  of  highways !  What  an 
inducement  they  will  be  to  the  northerner  to  spend  his  winters, — 
yes  and  his  summers — among  us;  what  an  opportunity  for  autoing 
it  will  make ! 

The  true  lover  of  trees  is  not  likely  to  figure  on  their  cash 
value,  but  the  business  man  can  easily  estimate  without  fear  of 
exaggeration  that  such  a  road  system  as  I  have  pictured  would 
be  the  best  possible  advertisement  we  could  make.  It  would 
bring  more  desirable  tourists  and  settlers  than  tens  of  thousands 
of  pages  of  advertising. 


WIND    BREAKS  AND   HEDGES. 

It  will  often  be  found  that  it  is  a  good  thing  to  throw  a  sort  of 
screen  or  protecting  wall  of  trees  or  shrubs  around  all  or  part  of  a 
place  as  a  shelter  against  wind  or  frost.  In  fact,  in  many  loca- 
tions on  large  rivers  or  the  sea  it  is  well-nigh  impossible  to  grow 
anything  without  some  such  screen. 

As  a  general  thing  I  do  not  like  straight  rows  of  trees  or  shrubs 
in  an  informal  garden  scheme  for  the  reason  that  they  look  too 
artificial.  If  one  wants  to  make  a  wind  break,  or  to  separate  a 
part  of  his  grounds  from  the  rest  or  from  his  neighbor's  it  seems 
to  me  far  better  to  plant  an  irregular  border.  This  may  consist 
of  lofty  growing  trees,  shrubs  and  even  herbaceous  plants  so  ar- 
ranged that  when  grown  he  will  have  an  irregular  sky  line,  a 
variety  of  form  and  colors.  Where  one  is  merely  separating  one 
part  of  his  land  from  the  rest  a  low  screen  may  be  planted  con- 
sisting of  shrubs  and  small  growing  plants. 

For  a  wind  break  it  is  necessary  in  exposed  places  to  use  trees 
which  are  practically  evergreen  and  quite  wind  resistant,  and 
as  yet  we  have,  perhaps,  not  had  sufficient  experience  in  Florida 
to  make  the  best  selection  of  species.  The  Australian  pine, 
Casuarina  equisetifolia,  is  a  native  of  the  Oriental  littoral  region 
of  the  tropics.  It  is  one  of  the  most  rapid  growing  trees  known; 
it  stands  the  salt  air  remarkably  well,  it  is  fairly  wind  resistant. 
It  is  probable  that  all  the  date  palms  will  work  in  finely  for  wind 
breaks  and  that  they  will  stand  salt  air,  and  this  is  likely  true  of 
the  Inodes  and  most  of  the  Cocos.  Our  own  cabbage  palmetto 
does  excellently  in  the  most  exposed  situations,  even  fronting 
onto  the  sea.  The  live  oak  will  only  resist  salt  spray  moderately 
well  and  where  it  is  too  much  exposed  its  foliage  is  likely  to  be 
scorched  on  the  seaward  side.  Some  of  the  bamboos  work  in 
finely  in  mixed  wind  breaks  but,  so  far  as  my  experience  goes, 
their  leaves  do  not  stand  salt  air  well.  One  of  the  finest  things 
for  a  wind  break  in  the  lower  part  of  the  state  is  the  rose  apple, 
Eugenia  jambos.  It  has  long,  glossy,  evergreen  leaves  which  are 
a  rich  red  or  purple  when  young,  the  growth  is  compact  and  bends 

65 


66  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

readily  before  the  wind.  It  has  lovely  creamy  blossoms  and 
pleasantly  flavored  fruit.  I  doubt  whether  it  would  stand  salt 
air.  On  the  sheltered  side  of  a  mixed  wind  break  vines  might 
be  planted  and  the  whole  might  be  made  to  have  such  an  orna- 
mental appearance  that  no  one  would  suppose  it  was  other  than 
a  piece  of  decorative  planting. 

The  oleanders,  the  privets,  Ligustrum  spp.,  Laurocerasus  caro- 
liniana,  or  Carolina  cherry,  the  two  Raphiolepis,  R.  ovata  and 
R.  indica,  the  Pittosporums,  Gordonia,  two  or  three  of  the  hollies 
and  a  number  of  other  trees  and  shrubs  are  suitable  for  such 
work  and  are  hardy  throughout  the  state. 

If  one  must  plant  formal  hedges  the  privets  are  fine  evergreens 
for  such  work  and  are  hardy  anywhere  within  our  limits;  so  is 
the  dwarf  tree  box  (Buxus).  The  common  sweet  myrtle  and 
some  of  the  climbing  roses  can  be  pruned  so  as  to  form  a  fine 
hedge.  In  the  more  tropical  part  of  the  state  the  various  species 
of  Carissa  make  beautiful  hedges,  as  do  the  Phyllanthus  of  the 
nivosus  type.  I  have  no  doubt  that  Catesbaea,  Tabernaemon- 
tana,  some  of  the  Ixoras,  Duranta,  some  of  the  Jasmines  and 
Gardenia  would  stand  shearing  well.  The  Acalyphas  and  Chinese 
Hibiscus  are  considerably  used  for  hedges  in  this  region.  And 
I  would  suggest  that  any  of  the  following  would  be  likely  to  do 
well  as  hedge  plants  or  to  work  into  wind  breaks:  Eugenia 
uniflora,  Thea  viridis,  Bambusa  disticha,  Triphasia  trifoliata  and 
several  of  the  Pandanus. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  dead  air  fills  open  spaces  that 
are  left  among  plantings  of  trees  and  shrubs,  and  that  this  air 
becomes  very  cold  during  a  norther,  so  that  in  such  spaces  frost 
is  more  likely  to  occur  than  in  more  exposed  places.  Any  open 
space  on  the  north  or  west  of  a  close  wall  of  vegetation  is  pecu- 
liarly subject  to  frost,  for  the  reason  that  the  cold  air  is  driven  in 
and  lodges. 


ORCHIDS. 

Probably  no  one  except  a  few  professional  botanists  knows 
that  there  are  at  present  no  less  than  twenty-two  species  of  native, 
epiphytic  Orchids  known  in  the  State  of  Florida.  Some  of  these 
are  beautiful  while  all  are  strange  and  interesting.  Nearly  all  of 
these  are  natives  of  the  West  Indies  or  Tropical  America,  and  it 
is  probable  that  they  were  introduced,  for  the  most  part,  into 
South  Florida  during  late  geological  time  by  birds,  winds,  and, 
it  may  be,  on  floating  vegetation  carried  on  the  Gulf  Stream. 

There  are  nine  species  of  Epidendrum  known  in  the  state, 
most  of  which  have  no  beauty,  as  the  Epidendrums  are  called 
the  weeds  among  Orchids.  However,  E.  cochleatum  has  odd 
purple  and  yellow  flowers  that  remind  one  a  little  of  those  of  a 
pansy.  E.  nocturnum  has  spidery  white  blossoms  and  E.  tarn- 
pense  has  really  pretty  flowers  of  purple,  greenish  and  white 
with  sometimes  yellowish  or  chocolate  tints. 

Cyrtopodium  punctatum  is  a  noble  Orchid,  sometimes  forming 
immense  clumps,  the  stems  and  numerous  rather  large  flowers 
being  greenish  yellow  barred  with  brown  red ;  a  large  plant  may 
carry  as  many  as  300  blossoms  at  a  time.  There  are  three  species 
of  the  genus  Dendrophylax  in  lower  Florida,  one  of  which,  D. 
lindeni,  with  leafless  stems  and  handsome,  large,  satiny  blossoms, 
usually  grows  on  the  trunks  of  royal  palms.  Oncidium  luridum 
is  a  magnificent  Orchid  with  large,  thick  leaves,  and  stems  of 
flowers  which  sometimes  reach  a  length  of  ten  feet.  The  color 
of  the  blossoms  is  lurid,  greenish  yellow  barred  and  blotched  with 
red  or  red  brown,  O.  sphacellatum  is  an  epiphytal  Orchid  in  Cuba 
but  here  it  is  more  or  less  terrestrial,  growing  on  pine  land  in  the 
edges  of  swamps  or  rarely  in  hammocks.  The  flowers  are  yellow 
and  quite  attractive.  Besides  the  above  there  is  a  Macradenia, 
an  lonopsis,  a  Polystachya  and  a  Brassia,  the  latter  only  just  dis- 
covered in  our  region.  This  strange  plant,  B.  caudata,  is  a  native 
of  Cuba  and  has  curious  spider-like  greenish  yellow  blossoms. 
We  have  two  Vanillas  which  climb  trees  by  means  of  aerial  roots 
6  67 


68  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

and  have  rather  attractive  flowers.  With  their  thick,  fleshy 
stems  and  scale-like  leaves,  they  are  curious  plants. 

Many  of  the  exotic  Orchids  can  be  successfully  grown  on  the 
trees  of  our  hammocks  if  proper  care  is  given  them.  Two  of  our 
native  species,  Epidendrum  conopseum  and  E.  tampense  grow  on 
trees  in  the  hammocks  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  pen- 
insula of  the  state  and  it  is  probable  that  a  few  of  the  hardier 
exotic  species  might  be  cultivated  over  most  of  this  area.  First 
among  exotics  are  the  Cattleyas, — queens  among  Orchids.  All 
of  them  bear  large,  handsome  flowers,  and  with  the  exception  of 
C.  citrina,  which  is  a  cool  house  species,  all  that  I  have  tried  have 
done  well.  With  a  good  selection  one  may  have  blossoms  through- 
out the  entire  year,  provided  his  plants  are  large  and  in  good 
condition.  C.  labiata  and  its  varieties  will  furnish  flowers  dur- 
ing the  spring,  summer  and  autumn  and  C.  trianae,  by  some 
considered  a  variety  of  labiata,  is  a  winter  bloomer.  C.  labiata 
and  C.  trianae  have  mostly  pink  to  purplish  flowers;  C.  dowiana, 
yellow,  and  C.  wagneri,  white. 

The  Laelias  have  handsome  flowers  and  are  closely  related  to 
the  Cattleyas,  having  much  the  same  range  of  color,  though  they 
are  less  showy.  L.  anceps,  L.  m,ajalis,  L.  perrini,  L.  jonghiana 
and  L.  superbiens  promise  well  here. 

Dendrobium  is  a  large  genus  of  Oriental  Orchids,  most  of  which 
are  handsome  and  easily  grown.  D.  nobile  and  its  varieties  are 
among  the  finest;  D.  wardianum,  D.  palpebre,  D.  moschatum,  D. 
superbum,  D.  fimbriatum,  D.  formosum,  D.  densiflorum  and  D. 
griffithianum  are  all  doing  well  with  me.  The  last  two  have  hya- 
cinth-like spikes  of  deep  yellow  flowers;  those  of  the  others  vary 
through  white,  red,  purple  and  straw  color.  D.  phalanopsis  and 
its  variety  schroederianum  are  very  fine,  with  deep  purple  flowers, 
individual  specimens  of  which  have  remained  in  perfection  with 
me  for  over  three  months.  So  far  the  Dendrobes  are  perfectly 
healthy  with  me.  A  number  of  them  throw  out  air  roots  from  the 
young  stems;  these  stems  can  be  cut  off  and  will  make  new  plants. 
I  occasionally  put  stems  among  my  pots  containing  plants  on  the 
shelves  in  the  slat  house  and  by  keeping  them  slightly  moist  I 
can  sometimes  root  them. 

Oncidium  is  a  large  and  fine  genus  inhabiting  the  American 


IN  FLORIDA  69 

Tropics  and  yellow  and  brown-red  are  the  prevailing  colors  of 
their  flowers.  0.  tigrinum  and  its  near  ally  0.  splendidum  are 
exceedingly  showy ;  O.  leucocheilum  from  Guatemala  has  panicles- 
of  flowers  often  nine  feet  long,  the  color  being  greenish  and  white. 
0.  papilio,  the  Butterfly  Orchid,  has  broad,  usually  spotted  leaves 
and  striking  yellow  and  brown  banded  flowers  which  bear  a  stong 
resemblance  to  a  butterfly,  0.  cavendishianum,  0.  varicosum  and 
its  variety  rogersi,  and  0.  ampliatum  have  all  done  well  with  me. 
0.  ornithorhynchum  has  lovely,  delicate  lilac  flowers,  but  is  a  cool 
house  orchid  and  soon  dies  here. 

The  Vandas  are  superb  Orchids  from  the  East  Indian  region. 
I  have  V.  coerulea  which  has  handsome  blue  flowers  and  V.  teres 
with  pink  flowers,  also  an  unnamed  species,  all  of  which  are  doing 
well. 

Phalanopsis  is  a  genus  of  Orchids  from  the  Indo-Malayan 
region,  and  contains,  perhaps,  the  most  chastely  beautiful  species 
of  the  entire  family.  Here  I  have  in  splendid  condition  P.  ama- 
bilis  and  P.  schilleriana,  the  former  bearing  long  racemes  of  nearly 
pure  white,  large  flowers  while  those  of  the  latter  are  a  lovely 
lilac  rose.  They  have  a  rich,  waxy  texture  and  solid  substance 
that  causes  their  flowers  to  be  as  lasting  as  those  of  any  Orchids 
grown  in  the  state.  I  have  had  individual  blossoms  of  P.  ama- 
bilis  remain  in  perfection  for  four  months.  Here  on  my  trees  in 
the  low  land  they  send  out  their  large,  flat  roots  in  great  pro- 
fusion and  produce  their  handsome,  glossy,  leathery  leaves  with 
the  greatest  vigor.  In  fact,  although  these  are  considered  rather 
difficult  plants  to  grow  in  northern  hothouses,  they  have  done 
better  with  me  than  anything  I  have  grown.  They  have  en- 
dured long  droughts  and  winter  temperatures  of  light  frost  with- 
out injury,  and  when  in  bloom  they  have  been  the  wonder  of  a 
great  number  of  visitors. 

Besides  the  above  I  have  tried  quite  a  number  of  other  Orchids 
including  Brassia  verrucosa,  Brassavolg,  glauca,  Chysis  aurea, 
Ly caste  aromatica  and  skinneri,  several  Maxillarias ,  Miltonia 
roezeli,  Schomburgkia  tibicina,  a  couple  of  Gongoras,  Stanhopea 
sp.  and  a  considerable  number  of  unnamed  plants  from  Guate- 
mala and  Cuba,  most  of  which  are  doing  well. 

There  is  a  class  of  Orchids  which  grows  at  high  elevations  in  the 


70  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

tropics  where  the  atmosphere  is  always  moist  and  cool.  These 
are  called  "Cool  House  Orchids"  and  can  only  be  grown  in  the 
north  with  great  difficulty.  Among  them  is  the  genus  Odonto- 
glossum,  containing  some  of  the  most  exquisitely  beautiful  things 
in  the  world,  and  there  are  many  others.  I  have  repeatedly 
rtried  a  number  of  these  in  my  hammock  and  have  met  with  abso- 
lute failure.  Our  summers  are  no  doubt  too  warm  and  they  can- 
mot  stand  dry  weather. 

There  is  another  class  of  Orchids  which  is  neither  wholly  epi- 
phytic nor  terrestrial ;  the  plants  may  grow  in  a  native  state  near 
the  ground  on  trees,  on  rocks  or  even  in  the  ground.  Among 
these  is  Oncidium  sphacellatum,  which  I  have  mentioned  in  the  list 
of  Florida  species,  the  Coelogynes  and  some  of  the  Cymbidiums. 
They  should  be  grown  in  moist  places  in  the  hammock  at  the 
bases  of  trees,  on  rocks  with  moss  or  leaf  mould,  or  a  sort  of  arti- 
ficial rock-work  with  decaying  wood  and  leaf  mould  mixed  in 
will  suit  them.  I  have  not  had  much  experience  with  Cypripe- 
diums  and  other  strictly  terrestrial  forms  but  they  might  prob- 
ably be  grown  successfully  in  moist  hammock  in  a  mixture  of 
peat,  fern  root  and  leaf  mould. 

Most  of  the  Orchids  received  from  the  dealers  have  their  roots 
contained  in  the  mixture  of  chopped  fern  root  or  peat  and  sphag- 
num in  which  they  grew  in  the  orchid  house.  In  my  earlier 
attempts  at  growing  them  on  my  trees  I  made  the  mistake  of 
leaving  this  all  on  and  fastening  the  ball  against  the  tree  by  means 
of  pieces  of  shingle  nailed  on  so  as  to  press  against  it.  I  believe 
that  the  freshly  imported  plants  which  have  not  yet  been  potted 
are  better  than  the  potted  and  established  ones. 

No  Orchid  will  flourish  on  a  tree  unless  it  is  so  firmly  fastened 
to  it  that  it  cannot  possibly  be  moved  about.  It  must  also  be  so 
fastened  that  the  collar,  that  is  the  part  of  it  where  the  roots  join 
the  stems,  is  not  choked  or  smothered.  I  find  it  best  with  plants 
that  come  with  the  potting  material  around  their  roots  to  soak 
the  mass  a  little  and  carefully  remove  as  much  of  it  as  possible 
without  unduly  mangling  the  roots.  Most  of  these  die  anyhow 
after  the  plants  have  been  on  the  tree  awhile.  Cut  window 
screen  wire  (iron  wire  is  best)  into  strips  an  inch  wide  and  of 
any  length.  Fasten  one  end  of  a  strip  with  a  small  nail  to  the 


IN   FLORIDA  71 

trunk  of  a  tree  at  the  side  of  where  the  Orchid  is  to  be  placed » 
Put  a  thin  layer  of  sphagnum  on  each  side  of  the  mass  of  roots, 
which  have  been  previously  flattened ;  place  the  roots  against  the 
tree  close  to  where  the  strip  is  fastened;  draw  the  strip  tightly 
across  the  roots  and  nail  on  the  other  side  of  them.  If  the  plant 
is  large  it  will  be  necessary  to  put  two  or  more  strips  across,  some- 
times in  several  directions;  at  any  rate  bind  it  firmly  and  neatly 
to  the  tree,  taking  care  that  the  collar  of  the  plant  is  not  choked. 
This  fastening  will  admit  air  to  the  roots  and  will  not  look  un- 
sightly. Water  well  and  if  possible  repeat  the  watering  at  least 
once  a  week  during  dry  weather  until  the  Orchid  is  established. 

They  may  be  planted  at  any  time  of  the  year  but  I  prefer  to 
put  them  on  the  trees  just  before  the  commencement  of  the  rainy 
season.  If  one  has  irrigation  it  makes  little  difference.  Do  not 
put  them  on  trees  whose  bark  scales  off.  The  live  oak  which 
grows  generally  throughout  Florida  is  an  ideal  tree  for  this  pur- 
pose as  it  has  rough  bark  which  never  comes  off  and  the  roots 
seem  to  revel  in  its  crevices.  The  red  bay  is  another  good  tree 
for  this  purpose.  An  upright  trunk  four  or  five  feet  above  the 
ground  is  a  good  place  and  elevation. 

I  have  had  best  success  with  good  sized  plants;  small  speci- 
mens are  liable  to  dry  out  and  die.  Most  Orchids  are  very  slow 
growers ;  often  only  a  single  leader  is  sent  up  in  a  year  even  under 
favorable  circumstances,  unless  the  plant  is  large.  In  some 
cases  they  produce  fertile  seed  but  it  is  excessively  minute  and 
difficult  to  make  grow.  One  may  scatter  such  seed  on  mossy, 
leaning  trees  in  a  damp  hammock  and  rarely  grow  a  plant.  Even 
when  he  succeeds  it  will  take  from  four  to  eight  years  for  it  to 
bloom.  Roots  are  sometimes  thrown  off  from  leaders  and  in 
such  cases  the  latter  may  be  carefully  cut  off  below  the  roots 
and  made  to  grow,  preferably  in  pots  of  peaty  soil  at  first,  in  a 
close  damp  slat  house.  In  the  north  growers  are  largely  depend- 
ent on  plants  which  are  imported  from  their  native  countries 
where  some  species  are  now  almost  exterminated. 

A  few  words  regarding  enemies  and  insects  may  not  be  out  of 
place.  There  is  a  native  wood  rat  which  at  times  does  great 
damage  to  Orchids  planted  on  trees,  working  them  loose  and 
often  eating  them.  Something  may  be  done  in  the  way  of  put- 


72  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

ting  out  poison  but  if  there  is  likelihood  of  continued  trouble  it 
is  best  to  fasten  the  plants  only  on  the  vertical  stems  of  trees, 
and  not  on  horizontal  or  sloping  surfaces.  There  are  nocturnal 
insects  that  eat  the  leaves  of  Orchids,  which  could  probably  be 
held  in  check  by  spraying  according  to  instructions  in  the  chapter 
on  insects.  The  only  disease  that  has  so  far  troubled  my  plants 
is  a  blight  which  breaks  out  suddenly  and  sometimes  destroys 
a  large  plant  in  a  single  day.  The  affected  parts  turn  to  a  semi- 
transparent  brown  and  become  soft  as  though  they  had  been 
boiled.  I  presume  that  it  is  the  work  of  a  fungus.  Slitting  the 
sheaths  that  surround  the  pseudobulbs  and  removing  them,  in 
case  there  are  indications  of  trouble,  is  a  good  thing,  and  thorough 
dusting  with  sulfur  is  excellent.  Cut  away  and  burn  all  diseased 
parts. 

I  would  advise  every  one  who  has  hammock  and  cultivates 
ornamental  plants  to  try  at  least  a  few  Orchids.  One  can  start 
with  the  Cattleyas,  Dendrobiums,  Epidendrums  or  Laelias;  the 
cheaper  plants  are  as  good  as  any.  Do  not  put  them  too  high 
on  the  trees  as  it  will  be  difficult  to  water  and  attend  to  them, 
and  much  of  the  fine  effect  of  the  flower  is  lost  if  they  are  out  of 
reach.  If  one  can  have  a  background  of  thick  foliage  so  much 
the  better. 

One  can  even  grow  Orchids  in  a  clump  or  grove  of  planted 
trees;  all  that  is  needed  is  shade,  protection  from  strong  wind 
and  a  reasonable  degree  of  moisture  in  the  air.  One  sometimes 
sees  them  growing  in  exposed  places  in  full  sunshine  but  I  have 
had  poor  success  in  trying  to  establish  them  in  such  places. 

There  is  an  indescribable  charm  about  the  Orchids  and  who- 
ever once  becomes  interested  in  them  can  never  break  away  from 
their  spell.  The  forms  of  their  flowers  are  so  strange,  their  text- 
ure is  so  delicate,  their  colors  so  soft  and  beautiful,  often  so  won- 
derfully brilliant  and  bizarre  that  it  is  no  wonder  that  they  claim 
almost  universal  admiration,  whether  seen  in  Orchid  houses  or 
used  for  decoration.  But  to  see  them  in  perfection  one  must  go 
into  the  dark,  steamy,  tropical  forests  where  they  naturally 
belong.  Charles  Kingsley  said  "Even  to  look  up  at  them 
perched  on  bough  and  stem  as  one  rides  by,  and  to  guess  what 
exquisite  and  fantastic  forms  may  issue,  in  a  few  months  or  weeks, 


IN   FLORIDA  73 

out  of  those  fleshy,  often  unsightly  leaves  is  a  strange  pleasure,  a 
spur  to  the  fancy  which  is  surely  wholesome,  if  we  will  but  believe 
that  all  these  things  were  invented  by  A  Fancy,  which  desires 
to  call  out  in  us,  by  contemplating  them,  such  small  fancy  as  we 
possess." 

It  is  only  when  seen  growing  on  the  trees  in  tropical  or  semi- 
tropical  forests  that  they  really  look  natural,  for  there  they  fully 
harmonize  with  the  magnificent  tangled  growth,  the  confusion  of 
struggling  lianas  and  the  veritable  air  gardens  of  wild  Tillandsias 
and  other  epiphytes  which  sometimes  load  down  the  limbs  to 
the  breaking  point.  It  is  in  such  environment  alone  that  one 
can  appreciate  their  weird  and  almost  unearthly  grotesqueness 
and  beauty;  it  is  there  that  their  brilliant  and  fantastic  blossoms 
shine  out  almost  like  stars  in  the  darkness. 


FERN  POOLS. 

Down  in  what  is  called  the  "Homestead  Country"  in  lower 
Dade  County  the  water  from  the  Everglades  finds  its  way  through 
the  rocky  limestone  strata  to  the  sea  by  underground  passages. 
The  carbonic  acid  in  the  water  dissolves  the  rock  to  such  an 
extent  that  in  places  the  roof  falls  in,  and  often  the  rock,  earth 
and  rubbish  dam  up  the  stream  and  form  a  pool.  On  the  banks 
of  these  pools,  especially  those  in  the  hammocks,  many  species 
of  ferns  and  other  shade  and  moisture  loving  plants  spring  up 
and  flourish  in  rare  luxuriance  and  beauty. 

On  my  first  visit  to  this  region  I  became  infatuated  with  them 
and  I  wondered  if  it  was  not  possible  to  make  something  like 
them  in  my  own  hammock.  Shortly  after  my  return  I  blasted 
out  a  space  where  there  were  but  a  few  small  saplings,  wheeled 
away  the  rock  to  use  for  paths  in  the  lowland,  and  finally  sank 
the  excavation  to  a  foot  or  so  below  water  level.  I  left  the 
sides  as  irregular  as  possible,  filled  earth  into  the  crevices  and 
pockets,  planted  a  lot  of  ferns  and  in  a  short  time  had  a  fair 
imitation  of  a  natural  fern  pool. 

So  I  am  not  the  inventor  of  the  fern  pool  but  only  its  discoverer 
and  developer,  and  I  shall  not  even  attempt  to  patent  it.  My 
first  pool  was  worked  out  near  the  swamp  bordering  the  bay 
and  I  soon  had  land  crabs  in  great  numbers,  not  merely  as 
visitors  but  as  permanent  residents.  They  didn't  come  to 
admire  the  plants  or  the  beauty  of  the  landscape;  they  were 
there  strictly  for  business.  They  ate  nearly  all  my  delicate 
ferns  and  what  they  didn't  eat  they  pulled  out  and  destroyed, 
and  I  soon  found  that  I  could  only  grow  the  stronger  and  coarser 
native  species  in  it. 

My  next  venture  was  made  considerably  farther  away  from 
the  bay  in  high,  dense  hammock,  and  there  I  have  been  able 
by  watching  and  occasional  poisoning  to  keep  my  unwelcome 
visitors  pretty  well  in  check,  and  to  grow  plants  with  reasonable 
success.  There  is  only  a  small  pool  sunk  some  ten  feet  in  the 
rock,  and  it  is  well  shaded  by  overhanging  trees.  On  its  sides 

75 


76  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

I  have,  however,  perhaps  twenty-five  species  of  ferns,  Alocasias, 
Anthuriums,  Zebrinas,  Pellionia,  Dieffenbachias,  Pothos,  Fit- 
tonias,  Peperomias,  Begonias,  Selaginellas  and  a  variety  of 
other  things.  Ficus  repens  and  other  creepers  are  beginning 
to  cover  the  walls  in  places  and  a  Monstera  starting  from  down 
near  the  water  will  eventually  climb  up  one  of  the  trees  outside 
the  pool. 

I  have  put  native  fish  in  all  my  pools  and  they  not  only  prevent 
the  breeding  of  mosquitoes  but  at  the  same  time  add  to  the 


HOW  TO   MAKE  A   FERN   POOL. 

Diagram  of  a  fern  pool  such  as  the  one  described  in  the  text.     The  spaces  indicated  by  T 
are  terraces.     (Fig.  17) 

attractiveness  of  the  place.  It  is  a  great  resort  for  butterflies 
and  many  of  the  woodsy  insects.  And  in  a  seat  which  I  have 
worked  out  in  the  rocky  side  which  can  be  reached  by  an  irregular 
path  I  can  sit  and  enjoy  it  all  to  the  utmost. 

Any  one  can  have  a  pool  who  has  rocky  hammock  or  even 
pine  land  that  is  never  overflowed  and  that  does  not  lie  too  high 
above  standing  water.  In  many  parts  of  the  state  rock  comes 
to  or  near  to  the  surface  and  where  it  is  overlaid  with  soil  or 
sand  this  may  be  cleared  away  to  the  rock,  the  latter  blasted 
out  to  the  necessary  depth,  and  from  it  an  irregular  wall  can  be 
laid  up  to  the  level  of  the  surface.  At  least  a  considerable  part 
of  the  surface  of  the  whole  should  be  shaded  by  trees.  These 


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A   TROPICAL    BORDER    AT    THE   SENTINELS. 

ilalhXandrae{  a  beautiful  pinnate-leaved  palm  from  Queensland,  growing  among 
Chi  f mm-°ckr    Jhe  whlte  stemmed  trees  in  the  foreground  are  Cecropia  pal- 

Chlorocodon  whitei  is  climbing  up  the  trunk  in  the  left  side  of  the  picture      (Fig    19) 


IN   FLORIDA  77 

may  be  planted  about  it  if  there  is  not  already  sufficient  shade. 
It  may  be  made  any  length  and  width  but,  for  the  most  part,  I 
think  it  should  not  be  over  twenty  feet  wide  if  it  is  to  be  used 
wholly  for  shade  loving  plants.  The  outlines  should  be  quite 
irregular, — in  fact  irregularity  is  to  be  the  watchword  throughout. 
A  good  plan  would  be  to  widen  each  end  and  leave  the  middle 
narrower.  In  such  a  case  a  small  footpath  could  be  worked 
out  down  one  end  or  side,  carried  along  the  water,  leaving  in 
front  of  part  of  it  a  bit  of  beach;  then  it  could  be  carried  up 
the  other  end  where  a  seat  could  be  worked  out  in  the  rock. 
From  such  a  seat  one  would  have  a  pretty  view  along  its  whole 
length.  And  the  whole  could  be  made  so  irregular  that  neither 
seat  nor  path  would  be  at  all  conspicuous. 

As  the  rock  is  taken  out  shelves  and  pockets  should  be  freely 
left,  and  rich  earth,  composed  largely  of  leaf  mold,  ought  to  be 
put  in  to  receive  the  plants.  It  may  be  necessary  in  places  to 
build  up  low  walls  of  rock  in  front  of  the  shelves  but  this  can 
be  done  so  as  to  look  natural.  I  have  growing  on  the  sides  of 
my  upper  pool  a  few  terrestrial  orchids  which  are  doing  well, 
especially  Phaias  grandiflorus . 

I  am  a  most  enthusiastic  believer  in  fern  pools  and  would 
urge  every  one  who  has  a  place  and  cultivates  ornamentals  to 
make  one  or  more  if  possible.  Even  if  there  is  no  rock  where 
you  want  to  make  one  it  would  pay  to  haul  it  from  some  distance 
and  build  up  irregular  walls  inside  an  excavation.  If  no  trees 
are  at  hand  to  furnish  shade  one  could  plant  quick  growing 
species  which  in  a  very  short  time  would  furnish  ample  shelter. 
It  will  be  necessary  to  clean  out  the  mud  and  leaves  which 
accumulate  in  the  bottom  of  pools  occasionally  and  this  will 
make  good  mulching.  In  dry  weather  the  plants  will  probably 
need  an  occasional  spraying  with  water  until  they  are  established. 
If  the  pool  is  made  in  land  which  is  liable  to  be  flooded  some  kind 
of  drainage  will  have  to  be  provided,  an  open  ditch  or  under- 
ground tiling. 

In  the  southeastern  part  of  the  state  where  the  soft  limestone 
strata  come  to  the  surface  everywhere  the  rock  has  been  blasted 
out  in  places  and  used  for  making  roads,  thus  leaving  unsightly 
pits  and  excavations  which  are  a  great  blemish  on  the  landscape. 


78  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

In  general  they  have  been  excavated  down  to  the  water  level,, 
or  a  little  below  it,  and  abandoned  because  of  the  difficulty  of 
getting  out  material  under  water.  Land  on  which  these  aban- 
doned pits  are  located  is  greatly  depreciated  in  value  as  it  is 
almost  impossible  to  fill  them.  But  how  easily  any  one  having 
such  a  pit  on  land  at  his  home  could  make  a  thing  of  beauty  of  it! 
If  its  outline  is  not  sufficiently  broken  and  irregular  he  could 
easily  make  it  so  by  blasting  out  here  and  there  along  the  edge 
of  it.  Small  bays  and  nooks  could  be  worked  out  and  the  whole 
could  soon  be  sheltered  by  planting  rapid  growing  trees  and 
shrubs,  and  along  the  walls  in  such  spots  an  infinite  variety  of 
ferns  and  other  plants  requiring  shade,  shelter  and  moisture 
would  flourish.  Rich  soil  could  be  put  into  the  water  in  places 
and  aquatics  planted.  All  the  Thrinax  palms  will  flourish  in 
such  places  in  the  lower  end  of  the  state  and  Agaves,  Aloes, 
Rhoeo  and  perhaps  Saxifraga.  Our  native  Ampelopsis  or  wood- 
bine and  Ficus  repens,  also  many  other  vines  and  creepers 
might  be  employed  in  screening,  and  they  would  soon  turn 
an  eyesore  into  a  thing  of  beauty. 

Many  of  the  places  where  phosphate  has  been  mined  might 
be  skillfully  treated  in  a  somewhat  similar  way  and  the  same 
remark  applies  to  natural  sinks  or  any  excavation  in  the  rock. 

Any  one  who  loves  his  home  and  enters  heartily  into  the  spirit 
of  cultivating  plants  and  who  has  taste  can  devise  almost  in- 
numerable schemes  for  adding  to  the  beauty  of  his  place  and 
doing  away  with  what  is  unsightly  in  his  surroundings. 


IN   THE   HAMMOCK. 

By  far  the  greater  part  of  the  state  of  Florida  is  covered  with 
monotonous  pine  forests.  Only  a  small  fraction  of  it  is  ham- 
mock ;  that  of  the  northern  part  of  the  area  being  composed  largely 
of  live  oaks,  hickory,  magnolia,  red  bay  and  a  few  other  species  of 
trees.  In  the  low  hammocks  the  tupelos,  sweet  gum,  swamp  red 
bay,  two  or  three  species  of  holly,  cypress  and  some  others  occur. 
Along  the  coastal  region  throughout  the  state  they  are  generally 
glorified  by  the  wonderfully  striking  cabbage  palmetto. 

As  we  go  southward  a  number  of  trees  and  shrubs  begin  to 
appear  whose  metropolis  is  in  the  American  Tropics.  In  the 
lower  part  of  the  state  the  Caribbean  pine  (Pinus  caribaea)  takes 
the  place  of  the  Georgia  pine  (P.  palustris),  a  number  of  Eugenias 
are  met  with,  the  gumbo  limbo  (Bur sera  gummifera),  the  marl- 
berry  (Icacorea  paniculata) ,  and  by  the  time  Miami  is  reached  on 
the  east  coast  and  Cape  Romano  on  the  west  the  larger  portion 
of  the  hammock  vegetation  is  West  Indian.  The  lower  keys 
have,  for  the  most  part,  a  foundation  of  coral  rock  and  their 
vegetation  is  strictly  tropical. 

I  have  been  in  a  number  of  the  West  Indian  islands  and  Cen- 
tral America  but  nowhere  have  I  seen  vegetation  more  strikingly 
beautiful  than  it  is  in  the  hammocks  of  Florida.  I  know  no 
more  majestic  tree  than  an  old,  finely  grown  live  oak,  especially 
when  it  is  draped  with  long  moss.  This  plant,  now  called 
Dendropogon  usneoides,  is  found  growing  in  a  wild  state  as  far 
south  as  southern  Brazil,  but  perhaps  nowhere  in  all  its  range  is 
it  more  finely  developed  than  in  our  hammocks. 

Unfortunately  the  soil  in  the  hammocks,  being  composed 
largely  of  leaf  mould,  is  of  much  better  quality  than  that  of  the 
pine  land.  Hence  it  matters  not  that  this  forest  growth  is  among 
the  most  beautiful  in  the  world ;  the  greedy  land  owner  seizes  his 
ax  and  grub  hoe  and  with  the  aid  of  fire  he  wipes  out  of  existence 
this  lovely  vegetation  which  it  has  take  nature  centuries  to 
develop.  He  does  it  that  he  may  raise  a  few  vegetables  or  put 
in  a  Citrus  grove,  or  perchance  that  he  may  have  an  opportunity 

79  A 


80  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

to  show  his  skill  in  ornamental  planting;  putting  out  rows  of 
palms  alternated  with  Chinese  Hibiscus,  it  may  be. 

I  have  in  front  of  my  house  a  couple  of  acres  of  high,  rocky 
hammock  and  I  have  always  considered  it  the  most  valuable 
asset  on  the  place,  not  to  cut  down  and  plant,  but  to  keep  in 
its  natural  beauty.  It  became  necessary  to  cut  an  opening 
through  it  immediately  in  front  of  the  house  in  order  that  I 
might  carry  a  walk  down  to  the  bay,  and  to  have  a  peep  across 
the  water.  This  I  was  fortunately  able  to  do  with  but  very  little 
cutting,  as  it  happened  that  the  narrowest  part  of  the  hammock 
was  at  that  point.  Only  a  couple  of  old,  partly  decayed  trees 
had  to  be  cut  and  a  small  amount  of  unimportant  young  stuff, 
and  when  the  irregular  opening  was  cleared  out,  not  over  thirty 
feet  wide  anywhere,  I  had  a  lovely  view  out  over  the  water. 
Across  this  vista  one  can  watch  the  passing  boats  and  it  serves 
as  a  passage  through  which  cold  air  during  northers  can  pass. 

I  have  cut  out  a  narrow  trail,  just  wide  enough  for  a  single 
person,  getting  down  on  my  knees  in  the  thick  scrub,  and  working 
it  out  with  a  hatchet.  Nothing  of  any  value  was  destroyed  in 
cutting  out  this  walk,  for  where  I  came  in  contact  with  any 
choice  tree  or  small  thing  I  worked  around  it  and  left  it  standing. 
This  trail  was  apparently  cut  without  any  particular  purpose, 
but  in  no  case  did  it  come  near  enough  to  the  edge  of  the  wood 
to  permit  one  to  see  out  of  it.  At  the  same  time  it  went  pretty 
well  around  the  hammock  and  did  not,  at  any  point,  approach 
near  enough  to  itself  so  that  it  was  possible  to  see  across.  By 
this  means  the  impression  was  created  that  this  bit  of  wood 
was  quite  a  considerable  forest,  and  visitors  have  supposed  that 
it  contained  twenty  acres. 

I  led  the  trail  to  all  the  objects  of  interest  in  the  little  wood; 
here  a  great  live  oak  whose  branches  spread  widely  over  the 
lower  growth  in  the  forest;  there  to  a  grand  specimen  of  cab- 
bage palmetto;  again  to  another  oak  which  had  been  overthrown 
in  a  hurricane  long  ago,  and  which  had  sent  up  vigorous  stems 
only  to  be  overturned  a  second  time,  so  that  at  last  its  branches 
were  a  strange  tangle.  Here  it  passes  under  a  large  tree  that  had 
probably  sometime  been  partly  overthrown  in  a  gale  and  which 
now  forms  a  wonderful  arch,  under  which  the  path  was  carried. 


IN   FLORIDA  8l 

It  came  down  to  the  low  land  near  an  artificial  pool  and  up  by 
another.  So  thick  was  the  undergrowth  in  many  places  that  I 
could  not  crawl  through  it  and  I  had  difficulty,  first  in  locating 
the  interesting  things  and  afterwards  in  finding  them.  At  one 
place  not  far  from  a  large  palmetto  I  made  a  turn  in  the  walk, 
then  I  trimmed  out  the  vegetation  between  the  angle  and  the 
tree,  and  placed  a  rustic  seat  there  so  that  one  could  sit  and  gaze 
at  the  glorious  head  of  foliage. 

Here  and  there  along  the  walk  and  in  secluded  nooks  I  have 
planted  shade-loving  palms  and  other  plants.  A  number  of 
trees  and  shrubs  belonging  in  the  lower  part  of  the  state  but  which 
do  not  grow  wild  in  this  hammock  have  been  introduced  and 
established  as  I  fear  that  they  may  soon  be  exterminated  else- 
where. Many  of  the  larger  trees,  especially  the  live  oaks,  are 
loaded  with  wild  epiphytes,  Tillandsias,  Peperomias,  Orchids  and 
various  ferns  almost  to  the  breaking  point  and  among  these  I 
have  planted  numbers  of  exotic  species  which  are  generally  doing 
well  and  becoming  a  part  of  the  general  air  garden.  The  common 
sword  or  Boston  fern  (Nephrolepis  exaltata),  which  is  found  grow- 
ing all  over  the  warmer  parts  of  the  world,  has  made  itself  com- 
pletely at  home  here  and  in  places  is  carpeting  the  ground.  It 
has  established  itself  in  the  tops  of  the  palmettos,  growing  among 
the  decaying  leaf  stalks.  A  nearly  related  species  which  is  native 
elsewhere  in  this  region  is  working  in  on  rotting  logs  in  the  lower 
hammock.  Phlebodium  aureum,  a  strong-growing  fern,  lives 
along  with  the  sword  fern  and  the  lovely  grass  fern  also  hangs 
down  from  the  tops  of  the  palmettos.  The  creeping  Polypodium 
(P.  polypodioides)  covers  the  trunks  and  branches  of  the  live 
oaks,  drying  up  during  dry  weather  until  the  fronds  sometimes 
become  so  crisp  that  they  break  off,  but  turning  green  and  com- 
mencing growth  at  once  when  rains  come.  Campyloneuron 
phylliditis,  without  any  common  name,  grows  on  decaying  logs 
and  has  long,  strap-shaped,  elegant  fronds.  I  have  brought  in 
from  hammocks  elsewhere  the  beautiful  Asplenium  serratum, 
which  somewhat  resembles  the  foregoing,  and  established  it  in 
damp  places.  Here  and  there  I  have  put  sword  ferns  and  Phle- 
bodiums  on  the  cabbage  palmettos  just  at  the  base  of  the  crown 


82  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

of  leaves  and  they  have  established  themselves  as  though  nature 
had  planted  them. 

I  have  devoted  a  chapter  to  fern  pools  and  there  are  two  of 
them  in  this  bit  of  forest.  In  the  upper  one,  which  is  not  badly 
infested  with  land  crabs,  I  have  a  great  variety  of  exotic  ferns 
and  other  shade  and  moisture  loving  vegetation.  Down  one 
side  of  this  pool  I  have  worked  out  an  irregular,  sloping  path 
which  leads  to  a  seat  also  worked  out  in  the  wall  of  the  pool,  and 
from  the  seat  it  turns  and  goes  down  to  the  water.  In  this  seat 
I  often  sit  and  visit  with  the  plants,  the  fish  and  tadpoles  in  the 
pool,  and  the  various  little  woodsy  people  that  come  to  it.  Birds 
come  to  drink  and  look  curiously  at  the  old  man.  Mud  wasps 
hang  about  the  water  and  make  up  balls  of  limy  mud  which 
they  bear  off  to  build  their  nests  with. 

This  pool  is  a  great  resort  for  butterflies  and  there  is  rarely  a 
time  when  the  sun  is  shining  that  some  of  them  are  not  hovering 
about  it.  Conspicuous  among  them  is  Heliconius  charitonius,  a 
lovely,  slender  winged  species  of  a  jet  black  with  diagonal  yellow 
bars.  Sometimes  fifty  or  more  of  them  may  be  seen  on  the  wing 
moving  about  with  a  peculiar  trembling  flight.  When  at  rest 
they  hang  themselves  up  by  the  feet,  allowing  the  wings  to  drop 
down;  the  color  of  the  lower  sides  of  the  wings  often  fades,  and 
in  this  position  they  look  exactly  as  though  they  were  dead.  I 
have  seen  a  dozen  or  more  of  them  clinging  to  a  dead  twig,  a 
habit  no  doubt  adopted  as  a  means  of  protection  from  enemies. 
The  family  is  widely  distributed  and  abundant  in  the  American 
Tropics  but  this  species  is  its  only  representative  in  the  United 
States.  Occasionally  the  dainty  Comptie  butterfly  (Eummenia 
atala)  drifts  into  the  forest,  though  for  the  most  part  it  prefers 
the  open,  and  yellow  and  orange  Catopsilias  and  some  of  the 
great  Papilios  visit  the  pool.  Several  other  rare  tropical  forms, 
some  of  which  are  supposed  not  to  occur  in  this  country,  are 
occasionally  seen  here. 

The  birds  are  perfectly  at  home  here  and  have  increased  in 
numbers  since  I  have  lived  on  this  place.  I  am  sure  that  they 
understand  that  they  are  welcome  and  that  they  are  safe  with 
me  from  the  guns  of  hunters.  They  flit  about  and  peer  curiously 
but  wholly  unafraid  at  the  old,  white  bearded  man  who  sits  in 


AN  AERIAL   GARDEN    IN    SOUTH    FLORIDA. 

A  live  oak  tree  in  the  hammock  at  The  Sentinels,  covered  with  native  epiphytes  and  vines. 
The  characteristic  Spanish  moss  is  predominant.  At  the  lower  right  may  be  seen  an  East 
Indian  palm,  Dictyosperma  rubra.  (Fig.  20) 


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IN   FLORIDA  83 

the  seat  and  talks  to  them,  and  sometimes  they  chatter  at  him 
in  reply. 

There  are  about  three  and  a  half  acres  of  swamp  and  low  land 
on  the  place,  reaching  from  the  high  hammock  to  the  bay.  The 
former  owner  had  cut  down  the  timber  on  most  of  this  area,  and 
it  lay  a  festering,  rotting,  tangled  mass  in  the  mud  and  saw  grass, 
grown  over  in  part  with  thorny  Smilax  vines.  I  hardly  knew 
what  to  do  with  it  but  while  I  was  busy  with  other  matters  new 
growth  began  to  spring  up  from  the  stumps  and  I  conceived  the 
idea  of  making  of  it  a  sort  of  low  hammock  park.  This  idea  has 
been  carried  out  as  I  could  get  time  to  attend  to  it;  a  large  variety 
of  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs  suitable  to  salt  marsh  were 
planted,  two  pools  were  dug  and  a  half  mile  or  so  of  walk  of 
broken  rock  was  made.  A  rough  rock  bridge  was  built  over  a 
narrow  part  of  one  of  the  pools  and  a  couple  of  similarly  con- 
structed seats  were  made.  A  small  piece  of  mangrove  forest  was 
left  standing  by  the  former  owner  and  of  course  this  was  not 
disturbed.  Already  this  lowland  hammock  is  beginning  to  fore- 
shadow the  beauty  that  is  to  come. 

Here  within  an  area  of  a  half  dozen  acres  there  are  growing 
wild  over  eighty  species  of  trees  and  large  shrubs  which  some- 
times attain  to  tree-like  proportions,  a  larger  number,  I  have  no 
doubt,  than  can  be  found  in  any  state  in  the  Union  lying  north 
of  the  fortieth  parallel.  There  are  places  in  the  hammock  where 
within  a  radius  of  thirty  feet  fully  that  number  of  species  of 
trees  are  growing  wild.  Some  half  dozen  species  of  these  trees 
are  naturalized  in  Florida  from  other  warm  countries;  the  rest 
are  native.  There  are  some  seventeen  species  belonging  to  the 
low  land  and  fifty  that  are  strictly  tropical. 

To  me  the  hammock  is,  by  far,  the  most  attractive  part  of  my 
garden,  it  is  the  part  which  is  nearest  to  nature;  the  jungle  is  the 
thing  that  visitors  ask  after  and  rave  over.  When  I  am  lonely 
and  depressed  I  wander  down  into  it  to  be  alone  with  nature,  to 
get  away  from  the  artificialities  and  annoyances  of  civilization, 
to  let  myself  become  a  part  and  parcel  of  it  all.  I  feel  that  the 
dear  trees  are  my  friends  and  comforters ;  I  can  take  counsel  with 
them  and  trust  them;  and  I  always  come  back  to  the  world  and 
its  duties  strengthened  and  refreshed. 


84  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

I  want  to  lift  up  my  voice  and  plead  for  the  hammocks.  Like 
the  wild  game  they  are  disappearing  fast  before  the  destroyer, 
man.  It  is  only  a  question  of  time,  and  little  time  at  that,  when, 
at  the  rate  they  are  being  wiped  out  now  the  last  of  them  will  be 
gone.  Along  the  shores  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  on  the  nearby 
keys  there  are  over  one  hundred  species  of  tropical  trees  which 
are  found  growing  wild  nowhere  else  in  the  United  States.  It 
seems  to  me  that  it  is  almost  a  crime  to  exterminate  these  rare 
and  beautiful  things.  Just  within  the  boundaries  of  Miami  and 
to  the  south  of  it  there  was,  probably,  the  finest  body  of  tropical 
hammock  within  the  state  and  it  ought  to  have  been  preserved 
for  a  park  and  arboretum  but  it  is  rapidly  being  destroyed  and 
turned  into  building  lots. 

If  you  have  a  bit  of  hammock  on  your  premises  save  it;  if  you 
have  already  cut  it  down  it  may  be  that  it  would  grow  up  again 
if  it  was  not  disturbed.  Don't  thin  out  the  trees  or  in  any  way 
trim  it  up,  for  nature  has  made  it  more  interesting  and  beautiful 
than  it  is  possible  for  you  to  do. 


A  WILDWOOD   GARDEN. 

Down  in  my  low  land  which  fronts  on  the  bay  is  a  strip  of  the 
wettest  and  blackest  muck  varying  from  twenty-five  to  forty 
feet  wide  and  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet  long  and  lying  at  the  base 
of  the  high,  rocky  hammock.  At  its  southeastern  border  is  an 
artificial  pool  and  along  the  northeastern  part  is  a  tract  of  slightly 
elevated  marl.  In  this  whole  area  is  a  dense  growth  of  tangled, 
scrubby  vegetation;  Yaupon  (Ilex  cassine},  Wax  Myrtle  (Myrica 
cerifera),  two  kinds  of  Pond  Apple .(Annona),  Persimmon  (Dios- 
pyros  wrginiana) ,  a  couple  of  willows,  Wild  Rubber  (Ficus), 
Red  Bay  (Persea),  Button  Bush  (Cephalanthus) ,  and  Button- 
wood  (Conocarpus),  the  latter  being  a  strange  tree  which,  al- 
though upright  in  growth  when  young,  almost  always  falls  over 
when  it  has  acquired  age.  In  one  place  there  is  a  large  clump  of 
swamp  magnolias  (Magnolia  glauca),  and  there  is  quite  a  growth 
of  large  saw  palmetto  here  and  there.  The  axils  of  the  leaves  of 
this  palm  are  admirable  places  for  sword  and  other  ferns  and  the 
irregular  cavities  in  the  trunks  of  the  buttonwoods  prove  equally 
good  for  this  purpose.  On  the  floor  of  the  swamp  were  masses  of 
royal  ferns  (Osmunda  spectabilis) ,  which  is  distributed  over  all  the 
eastern  United  States  and  probably  is  found  in  Europe.  There 
were  also  a  few  clumps  of  the  great  Acrostichums  (A.  aureum 
and  A.  lomarioides) ,  which  are  the  largest  ferns  in  our  country. 
On  the  trees  and  shrubs  were  a  few  epiphytic  orchids  and  quite  a 
number  of  air  pines  (Tillandsias) . 

It  was  a  wild,  secluded  place,  shut  away  from  the  rest  of  the 
grounds,  and  so  thickly  grown  up  that  it  was  difficult  to  enter 
it.  It  was  pretty,  but  it  seemed  to  me  that  I  could  improve  a 
little  on  nature  or  rather  help  her  out  a  little.  There  are  few 
naturally  beautiful  effects  of  landscape  gardening  that  nature 
does  not  sometimes  produce;  man  can  create  many  of  these 
effects  on  a  limited  space  and  that  was  what  I  wanted  to  do ;  I 
was  going  to  try  to  condense  a  little. 

I  first  made  an  irregular  walk  of  broken  rock,  leading  it  around 
to  the  most  interesting  places  and  this  I  covered  with  palmetto 
leaves  and  other  rubbish  so  that  no  one  would  suppose  that  a 

85 


86  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

walk  had  ever  been  made.  If  one  cannot  obtain  rock  for  such  a 
purpose  sand  mixed  with  a  little  marl  or  even  swamp  earth  will 
answer;  enough  of  the  latter  to  bind  the  whole  together  but  not 
make  it  muddy. 

Then  I  dragged  in  rotten  logs  from  the  woods  and  scattered 
them  around  so  as  to  look  natural.  This  was  a  difficult  task 
as  they  could  neither  be  wheeled  nor  hauled  in  on  account  of  the 
thickness  of  the  scrub  and  the  soft  bottom.  Years  before  a 
former  owner  of  the  land  had  chopped  down  the  original  forest 
and  some  of  the  old  logs  lay  there,  in  many  cases  partly  covered 
with  sword  ferns  and  Blechnums.  These  and  the  epiphytes  on 
the  trees  gave  me  my  cue. 

I  brought  in  quantities  of  sword  ferns  (Nephrolepis  exaltata 
and  N.  biserrata)  from  the  hammocks  and  planted  them  on  the 
decaying  logs,  also  in  the  axils  of  the  saw  palmetto  leaves,  while 
in  cavities  of  the  reclining  buttonwoods  and  on  slightly  elevated 
tussocks  of  earth  N.  cordifoUa,  a  species  much  like  exaltata 
but  bearing,  tubers  on  the  root  stalks,  was  also  used.  It  sprawls 
along  the  stems  of  trees,  throwing  out  new  plants  at  short  inter- 
vals. The  lovely  native  resurrection  fern  (Polypodium  poly- 
podioides)  was  successfully  introduced.  This  creeps  along  the 
stems  of  certain  hardwood  trees  in  the  hammocks,  drying  out  and 
turning  brown  in  dry  weather  but  becoming  fresh  and  resuming 
growth  whenever  a  quarter  of  an  inch  of  rain  falls. 

There  are  not  less  than  ten  species  of  epiphytal  orchids  growing 
in  this  general  region,  and  these  with  as  many  more  kinds  of  wild 
pines  (Tillandsias,  Guzmannias  and  Catopsis)  were  brought  in, 
tied  fast  to  trees  and,  with  a  little  watering  occasionally,  were 
soon  established. 

The  beautiful  Tongue  Fern  (Campyloneuron  phylliditis)  was 
easily  made  to  grow  on  decaying  logs  in  such  situations  and  on 
large  tussocks  the  magnificent  Asplenlum  serratum  was  found 
to  do  well.  This  fern  has  long,  rather  broad,  entire  fronds  of  a 
rich,  glossy  green,  and  these  form  a  splendid  crown  that  is 
worthy  of  a  king. 

More  Acrostichums,  Osmundas  and  Blechnums  were  brought 
in  and  planted  in  the  mud,  also  Crinum  americanum  and  Hymen- 
ocallis  and  several  species  of  native  herbaceous  bog  plants. 
An  exceedingly  delicate  vine  with  compound  leaves  which  clings 


IN  FLORIDA  87 

by  tendrils  (Ampelopsis  arbor ea)  grows  occasionally  in  our  low 
lands  and  is  very  beautiful.  This  I  planted  in  this  wild  garden 
with  the  common  woodbine  which  is  equally  at  home  in  dry  or 
wet  land.  Sambucus  intermedia,  a  wild  elderberry  with  hand- 
some heads  of  white  flowers,  grows  in  swampy  places  and  this, 
too,  was  introduced  here. 

At  the  north  end  of  the  garden  I  have  planted  a  number  of 
cultivated  things  including  some  hothouse  orchids,  Bromeliads, 
Aroids  and  some  of  the  staghorn  ferns.  Phalanopsis  schilleriana 
and  P.  amabilis,  two  of  the  lovely  Moth  Orchids  from  the  Philip- 
pines, are  growing  wonderfully  here  and  bloom  gloriously  every 
winter.  And  there  are  Cattleyas,  Dendrobiums,  Brassias,  Epi- 
dendrums  and  Oncidiums  nearly  all  of  which  are  doing  well  in 
the  moist  atmosphere  of  the  swamp. 

Throughout  the  greater  part  of  this  tract  I  have  put  out  only 
native  plants  such  as  were  already  growing  in  it  or  would  natu- 
rally flourish  in  such  a  place  and  they  are  in  consequence  per- 
fectly at  home.  Not  a  thing  that  the  average  visitor  sees  would 
indicate  that  the  place  had  ever  been  touched  by  the  hand  or 
planned  by  the  brain  of  man.  It  is  just  as  it  would  be  if  Nature 
had  planted  it  and  tended  it  as  only  she  could.  There  is,  however, 
a  fly  in  the  ointment.  The  great  blue  West  Indian  land  crabs 
seem  to  know  that  nature  has  not  planted  this  spot  and  they  have 
migrated  to  it  in  numbers,  bent  on  destruction.  Many  of  the 
ferns  and  other  plants  on  or  near  the  ground  have  either  been 
destroyed  or  roughly  handled  by  them.  I  have  tried  in  vain  to 
keep  them  down  with  poison. 

I  have  not  written  this  chapter  nor  the  one  on  fern  pools  for 
the  purpose  of  giving  instruction  but  rather  in  the  way  of  sug- 
gestion. There  are  many  in  Florida  who  have  homes  or  who  are 
planning  to  have  them  where  there  are  bits  of  waste  land,  dense 
thickets,  swamps  or  sink  holes  which  are  little  better  than  eye- 
sores as  they  are.  The  ordinary  way  of  proceeding  is  to  clear 
them,  drain  or  fill  up,  often  at  considerable  expense,  and  when  this 
is  done  they  add  but  little  to  the  beauty  of  a  place. 

It  seems  to  me  that  it  would  be  much  better  carefully  to  study 
such  situations  with  a  view  to  beautifying  them  in  some  such  natu- 
ral, simple  and  inexpensive  way  as  has  been  applied  to  this  little 
piece  of  useless,  out-of-the-way  swamp. 


A  SUMMER   MORNING  AT  THE  SENTINELS. 

It  is  early  morning  and  I  am  up  and  out  enjoying  the  beauty 
of  nature.  I  often  think  that  in  order  to  live  fully  one  must  have 
his  home  in  the  country  and  rise  early.  To  me  it  seems  as 
though  the  developing  of  the  day  was  the  most  glorious  thing  in 
all  the  splendid  pageant  of  nature. 

It  is  very  early,  only  the  faintest  flush  shows  in  the  northeast, 
and  it  is  hard  to  say  whether  it  is  daylight  or  the  zodiacal  light. 
The  day  birds  are  not  awake  yet,  but  one  is  likely  to  hear  the 
strange,  discordant  cry  of  the  chuck- will's-widow  somewhere  off 
in  the  forest.  This  bird  is  one  of  the  early  harbingers  of  our 
spring;  in  April  and  May  the  night  is  often  a  babel  of  its  shrill 
music,  so  much  so  that  sleep  is  at  times  impossible  on  account  of  it. 
As  soon  as  the  rains  begin  it  becomes  less  in  evidence  and  usu- 
ally by  this  time  (early  August),  unless  the  season  is  dry,  as  it 
is  this  year,  it  is  rarely  heard.  Once  in  awhile  the  note  of  the 
rare  but  more  pleasant  voiced  whip-poor-will  is  heard  here  but 
it  is  mostly  replaced  in  the  Southeastern  states  by  the  chuck- will's- 
widow,  its  near  relative. 

The  monotonous  churr  of  a  variety  of  nocturnal  insects  fills  the 
air,  and  to  me  these  are  most  delightful  sounds.  They  are  pro- 
duced by  crickets  and  various  other  Orthoptera  and  wherever 
one  goes,  whether  in  the  tropical  or  temperate  regions,  he  is 
pretty  sure  to  hear  them  during  the  warmer  part  of  the  year. 
Another  musician  whose  notes  may  be  heard  here  by  night  or 
day  is  the  tree  frog.  These  little  fellows  make  their  homes  in 
the  trumpet-like  bases  of  the  great  Allamanda  blossoms  and 
their  call  is  supposed  to  be  a  prophesy  of  rain.  It  is  a  sort  of 
hybrid  between  a  croak  and  a  quack,  yet  to  me  it  is  sweeter 
than  the  music  of  the  masters. 

Out  in  the  hammock  there  is  but  little  hint  of  the  approach- 
ing day,  for  it  is  as  dark  as  at  midnight.  Here  and  there  one 
sees  a  glow  worm  vainly  endeavoring  to  dispel  the  darkness. 
The  lightning  bugs  are  not  in  evidence  at  this  time  of  the  year 

89 


90  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

but  in  the  late  fall  and  early  winter  the  forest  is  aglow  with  their 
kindly  little  lanterns. 

Jupiter,  who  may  be  called  the  King  of  the  Planets,  is  just 
south  of  the  zenith  and  Venus,  who  with  equal  justice  might  be 
called  The  Queen,  is  just  showing  in  the  east,  a  magnificent  pair 
of  planets  they  are;  while  the  Pleiades  glimmer  in  the  early 
morning  light.  Here  and  there  around  the  horizon  great  masses 
of  soft  cumuli,  the  typical  rainy  season  clouds,  are  piled  up. 
On  their  sides  nearest  the  light  they  show  various  shades  of  sil- 
very gray,  pearl,  straw  color  and  salmon,  while  the  shaded  sides 
are  various  tints  of  lead  color,  even  to  blue  black.  No  word  de- 
scription can  give  the  slightest  idea  of  the  wonderful  beauty  and 
magnificence  of  the  sky  and  cloud  effects  during  our  rainy  season. 
The  tourists  who  come  here  in  the  fall  and  return  in  early  spring 
wholly  miss  one  of  the  most  glorious  of  natural  phenomena  which 
is  a  part  and  parcel  of  the  rainy  season  only. 

Now  broad  bars  of  golden  light  spring  out  from  the  yet  hidden 
sun  and  shoot  over  to  and  beyond  the  zenith  and  the  blue  sky 
that  is  between  them  assumes  a  greenish  tint,  while  low  lying 
cirro-stratus  clouds  near  the  eastern  horizon  flame  into  gorgeous 
red. 

"Pale  amber  waves  of  light  in  billowy  floods 

Surge  grandly  in  upon  the  waking  sky, 
With  soft,  faint  green,  like  tints  of  April  woods 
And  richest  crimson  blent  exquisitely." 

It  is  said  that  there  is  never  a  morning  in  all  the  year  without 
a  cloud  lying  out  over  the  Gulf  Stream  and  my  observation  agrees 
with  this.  The  warm  vapor  rising  from  that  great  ocean  river 
is  condensed  at  daylight  by  the  cooler  air  into  some  form  of 
clouds. 

One  of  the  beauties  of  a  midsummer  morning  is  seen  in  the 
outline  of  the  vegetation  silhouetted  against  the  brightening  sky. 
Standing  on  my  veranda  and  looking  out  I  see  a  continually 
varied  and  broken  line  all  around  me.  To  the  south  immedi- 
ately in  front  of  the  house  is  a  group  of  some  thirty  species  of 
palms  among  which  two  coconuts,  taller  than  the  rest,  toss  up 
their  wonderfully  plume-like  leaves  with  infinite  grace  and 


IN  FLORIDA  91 

beauty.  Just  a  bit  to  the  eastward  and  at  some  little  distance 
a  lofty  water  tower  in  an  adjoining  place,  its  roof  made  of  red 
tiles,  is  a  striking  object  as  seen  above  the  forest.  To  the  south- 
east and  just  across  the  lawn  a  giant  East  Indian  bamboo  stands 
close  against  the  hammock  and  throws  its  great,  feathery  plumes 
far  above  it.  It  is  so  still  that  not  a  leaf  on  it  is  stirring  and  the 
whole  shows  with  marvellous  effect  against  the  brightening  sky. 
To  the  left  is  an  opening  cut  through  the  hammock,  giving  a 
vista  across  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  low,  mangrove  covered  shore 
beyond.  This  openingis  nearly  east  of  the  house  and  three  or  four 
times  a  year  the  moon  rises  through  it  after  dark,  with  an  effect,  as 
it  weirdly  lights  up  the  waters  of  the  bay,  which  is  absolutely  inde- 
scribable. Farther  east,  almost  between  me  and  the  spot  where 
the  sun  will  rise,  is  a  wonderful  tree,  a  young  Myrobalan  of  the  East 
Indies.  It  reaches  well  above  the  general  outline  of  the  forest  and 
its  long,  wand-like  branches  are  well  clothed  with  the  most  won- 
derfully delicate,  slender,  pinnate  foliage.  These  leaves  are  pale 
green  below,  sometimes  almost  silvery,  and  dark  green  above  and 
among  the  mass  of  them  all  the  intermediate  tints  are  shown. 
The  whole  is  as  delicate  and  graceful  as  a  bamboo  but  it  is  unlike 
any  bamboo  I  ever  saw. 

To  the  northeast  is  a  solid  stemmed  Oriental  bamboo  some 
thirty  feet  high  which  is  beginning  to  rise  above  the  general  line 
of  the  hammock.  The  name  of  this  splendid  plant  is  in  dispute 
but  the  species  has  been  sent  out  as  Dendrocalamus  strictus  and 
it  will  reach  a  height  of  fifty  feet  and  even  more.  Its  large  stems 
are  crooked  at  the  ground  and  curve  strongly  outward  until  at 
their  ends  they  are  horizontal;  their  foliage  is  almost  massive, 
yet  it  is  wonderfully  graceful.  I  never  see  these  immense  plumes 
outlined  against  the  sky  but  I  am  reminded  of  some  of  the  gigan- 
tic ferns  of  the  Carboniferous  Age. 

Around  the  lawn  and  in  the  near  foreground  a  Century  plant 
sends  up  its  great  flower  stem  with  candelabra-like  branches,  just 
now  in  full  bloom,  making  a  most  striking  figure  against  the  sky. 
Near  it  is  a  group  of  palms,  a  Cuban  royal  and  one  from  Porto 
Rico,  an  African  Oil  Palm,  two  species  of  California  Fan  palms,  a 
Chamerops  from  South  Europe,  the  Wine  Palm  of  India  (Arenga 
saccharifera) ,  and  an  immense-leaved  Sabal  from  South  America. 


92  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

No  words  can  describe  the  glory  and  beauty  of  such  a  mass  of 
foliage,  whether  one  looks  at  it  from  a  little  distance  or  from 
within  it,  or  its  wonderful  outlines  against  the  sky.  The  Wine 
or  Sugar  Palm  is  just  throwing  out  an  immense  new  leaf,  fully 
fifteen  feet  long,  and  as  it  is  only  partly  expanded  it  looks  like 
some  gigantic  scimitar;  but  it  is  a  sword  of  peace  and  not  of  war. 

Beyond  and  to  the  left  of  this  group  are  three  tall  pine  trees 
with  finely  rounded  heads,  the  " Three  Graces,"  and  up  one  of 
them  an  American  woodbine  has  climbed  to  the  very  tip  top. 
At  night  their  great  heads  stand  out  as  blots  of  darkness  against 
the  sky.  To  the  west  of  the  house  a  moonflower  has  covered  a 
long  stretch  of  fence,  a  patch  of  bananas  and  a  large  mango  tree, 
and  its  great  white  blossoms  gleam  out  like  stars  in  the  dawn. 

The  stars  are  dimming  fast  and  now  the  clear  note  of  a  Cardinal 
that  has  just  awakened  breaks  on  the  ear,  then  another  and  an- 
other with  a  song  almost  as  varied  as  that  of  a  mocking  bird, 
but  in  which  the  peculiar  "Chew,  chew"  is  often  repeated. 
Next  a  mocking  bird  joins  the  morning  chorus  and,  in  a  little 
while  the  woods  will  echo  with  the  sharp  cry  of  the  bluejay. 

Along  the  road  which  encircles  the  house  there  is  a  large 
Avocado  tree  on  one  side  and  an  umbrella  China  tree  on  the 
other,  and  the  latter  reaches  its  branches  across  until  the  two 
meet  overhead  forming  a  grand  arch.  Under  this  it  is  still  quite 
dark  but  there  is  a  lovely  vista  looking  through  it  towards  the 
northeast.  Near  it  a  Dombeya  has  grown  into  an  immense 
shrub,  and  in  the  winter  this  will  be  loaded  with  large,  pendent 
heads  of  handsome  pink  blossoms.  Farther  on  a  young  tropical 
almond  tree  has  pushed  its  whorled  horizontal  branches  across 
the  road  and  they  are  overlapping  those  of  a  big  silk  cotton  from 
the  West  Indies  and  forming  another  arch. 

To  the  left  is  a  group  of  young  pine  trees,  seven  in  number, — 
the  "  Seven  Sisters."  Up  one  of  them  a  Stigmaphyllum,  a  charm- 
ing vine  bearing  Orchid-like  flowers,  is  climbing.  Up  another 
the  great  flowered  Solanum  wendlandi  grows;  on  a  third  is  a 
scarlet  Bougainvillea ;  a  fourth  is  enveloped  by  a  Kudzu  vine  and 
up  a  fifth  a  young  Faraday  a  splendens  is  beginning  to  twine. 
On  the  sixth  a  Bignonia  venusta  is  gay  with  gorgeous  orange  scar- 
let, tubular  blossoms  all  through  the  late  winter.  Over  the  last 


IN  FLORIDA  93 

of  the  sisters  there  sprawls  a  moon  vine  that  has  reached  out 
along  the  ground  and  up  some  of  the  other  trees  and  threatens 
to  dispute  with  their  occupants  for  possession.  Here  is  a  mag- 
nificent Oriental  Ficus,  F.  nymphaefolia,  one  of  the  most  superb 
trees  I  have  ever  seen  with  great,  nearly  round  leaves,  a  foot  wide 
and  thirteen  inches  long  that  look  exactly  as  though  they  had 
just  been  varnished.  Along  the  road  are  two  species  of  Hamelia, 
one  of  them  a  native,  both  having  reddish  leaves  and  clusters  of 
handsome  orange  red  flowers;  there  are  Poincianas,  Brunfelsias, 
Clerodendrons  and  Catesbaeas,  the  latter  with  very  long,  yellow 
tubular  blossoms,  and  all  of  these  in  the  glory  of  full  bloom. 
And  this  almost  overpowering  fragrance  comes  from  a  night- 
blooming  jasmine  which  is  still  exhaling  its  odor. 

Here  near  the  forks  of  the  road  is  a  clump  of  bananas  twenty- 
five  feet  across  and  nearly  as  high.  This  is  one  of  the  few  orna- 
mental species  which  do  well  for  me  (Musa  rhodochlamys),  a 
more  erect  grower  than  the  common  fruiting  species.  Speaking 
of  the  banana  Kingsley  says,  "As  for  the  plant  no  mere  words 
can  picture  the  simple  grandeur  and  grace  of  a  form  which  startles 
me  whenever  I  look  steadily  at  it."  I  wonder  why  so  few  people 
cultivate  these  glorious  plants?  This  cluster  is  in  a  sheltered 
place  and  no  words  can  describe  the  immense,  almost  entire  leaves 
or  their  wonderful  effect  against  the  morning  sky. 

Around  me  on  every  side  is  a  sea  of  vegetation,  a  varied  and 
variegated  panorama  of  fadeless  green,  and  the  sun,  which  has 
now  risen  above  the  hammock,  lights  it  up  with  wonderful  effect. 
It  is  a  scene  of  peace  and  harmony  and  beauty,  a  home  in  which 
a  man  may  well  be  content  to  live,  to  enjoy  nature  and  end  his 
days. 


CATALOG  OF  PLANTS. 

This  list  is  merely  intended  as  a  rough  guide  and  not  a  com- 
plete list  of  the  things  which  have  been  or  are  being  cultivated  in 
the  territory  covered  by  this  work.  It  contains  the  plants  that 
the  writer  has  tried  sufficiently  to  form  some  idea  as  to  what 
they  may  be  expected  to  do  here;  those  that  have  come  under 
his  notice  in  the  grounds  of  others,  and  most  of  those  that  have 
been  cultivated  in  the  state  of  which  he  has  authentic  informa- 
tion. A  considerable  number  of  species  have  been  grown  here 
of  which  the  writer  has  had  only  hearsay  information  and  these, 
for  the  most  part,  have  not  been  discussed.  In  a  few  cases  I 
have  mentioned  plants  that,  so  far  as  I  know,  have  not  been  intro- 
duced; things  of  considerable  importance  which  ought  to  be 
tried  here. 

I  have  not  attempted  to  follow  the  nomenclature  adopted  by 
any  one.  No  two  authors  agree  in  the  names  they  use  for  any 
set  of  plants;  in  fact,  no  author  that  I  know  of  agrees  with  him- 
self if  he  publishes  the  same  list  more  than  once.  I  have  made 
no  attempt  to  use  the  latest  applied  names;  in  order  to  do  this 
it  would  be  necessary  to  have  access  to  extensive  libraries,  and 
the  latest  names  only  hold  good  until  someone  publishes  again. 

The  descriptions  in  many  of  the  botanies  and  plant  ency- 
clopedias are  lamentably  brief  and  unsatisfactory  and  in  numer- 
ous instances  where  keys  are  given  they  do  not  lead  the  student 
to  the  plant  he  is  trying  to  identify.  I  have  not  attempted  to 
describe  the  species  here  listed  as,  in  order  to  do  so,  it  would  be 
necessary  to  extend  the  work  beyond  reasonable  limits,  but  I 
have  pointed  out  in  many  cases  the  most  obvious  characters 
of  the  plants  discussed.  The  arrangement  followed  here  is 
essentially  the  same  as  that  used  in  my  Plants  of  Dade  County. 


95 


CATALOG  OF  INDIGENOUS  AND  NATURALIZED 
PLANTS. 

NATIVE  PALMS. 

Florida  is  quite  rich  in  palms  for  a  region  lying  wholly  outside 
the  tropics,  for  no  less  than  sixteen  species  have  been  found 
growing  wild  within  its  limits.  A  part  of  these,  Inodes,  Sabal 
adansoni,  Rhapidophyllum  hystrix  and  Serenoa  serrulata  are 
probably  derived  from  an  ancient  warm  temperate  flora  that 
was  driven  south  during  the  Glacial  Epoch,  while  the  other 
species,  no  doubt,  are  derived  directly  from  the  American 
Tropics.  The  common  coconut  (Cocos  nucifera),  now  believed 
to  be  a  native  of  Tropical  America  and  not  of  the  Old  World  as 
was  formerly  supposed,  has  become  completely  naturalized  on  the 
keys  and  in  the  lower  part  of  the  state. 

Oreodoxa  regia.  First  among  our  native  palms  and,  for  that 
matter,  one  of  the  first  in  the  world,  is  the  royal  palm.  It 
occurs  in  Florida  abundantly  at  the  Royal  Palm  Hammock  at 
some  distance  inland  from  Cape  Romano,  on  the  southwest 
coast  of  the  state;  on  Harney  River  and  Rogers  River  just  north 
of  Cape  Sable  and  here  and  there  to  some  distance  to  the  east- 
ward of  the  cape  not  very  far  away  from  the  sea.  A  large 
number  are  found  at  Paradise  Key  in  the  southeast  part  of  Dade 
County,  this  being  an  island  in  the  Everglades.  Until  recently 
a  few  specimens  grew  in  brackish  hammock  just  north  of  my 
home  near  Little  River.  They  were  in  a  forest  of  giant  Avicen- 
nias,  Annonas,  Conocarpus  and  mangroves,  the  latter  the  largest 
and  finest  I  have  ever  seen.  Some  of  these  were  a  hundred  feet 
high  and  six  feet  in  diameter.  In  this  strange  forest  there  was 
a  dense  growth  of  wild  calabash  (Crescentia  latifolia),  Pavonia 
racemosa,  ordinarily  a  shrub  but  here  attaining  the  dimensions 
of  a  tree,  and  two  species  of  giant  Acrostichums,  the  fronds  of 
which  reached  a  height  of  a  dozen  feet.  All  this  splendid  growth 
was  destroyed  by  the  hand  of  brutal,  greedy  man  in  the  hope 
of  making  money  from  tannic  acid  in  the  bark  of  the  mangroves. 

97 


98  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

I  am  happy  to  say  that  this  financial  speculation  resulted  in 
total  failure. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  the  royal  palm  will  be  found  in  other 
Floridian  localities.  It  is  believed  by  Mr.  O.  F.  Cook,  an  author- 
ity on  palms  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  that  this 
is  distinct  from  the  Cuban  species,  and  he  has  given  it  the  specific 
name  floridana.  I  am  inclined  to  believe  his  judgment  is  correct 
in  the  matter.  Our  palm  generally  grows  in  brackish  swamps, 
the  only  exception  I  know  of  being  Paradise  Key. 

Whether  growing  in  groups  or  singly  it  more  fully  conveys 
to  my  mind  the  idea  of  kingly  majesty  than  any  living  object 
I  have  ever  seen.  Michaux  truly  said  that  the  American  White 
Elm  was  the  noblest  vegetable  of  the  Temperate  Zone  and  with 
equal  propriety  it  may  be  claimed  that  the  royal  palm  is  the 
noblest  vegetable  of  the  tropics.  It  should  be  planted  in  rich, 
deep  soil,  if  possible  in  a  moist  location,  if  it  is  to  do  its  best, 
and  in  such  a  situation  in  fifteen  or  twenty  years  it  will  become 
an  object  worthy  to  be  worshipped.  Ordinarily  it  does  poorly 
on  pine  land  but  if  a  large  hole  is  dug  when  it  is  planted  and  this 
is  filled  with  muck,  rich  soil  and  stable  manure  and  the  ground 
is  well  mulched  it  will  do  very  well.  An  occasional  top  dressing 
of  muck  or  mulching  with  seaweed  or  trash  will  be  beneficial. 

Next  among  native  palms  in  importance  and  striking  appear- 
ance is  the  cabbage  palmetto  (Inodes  palmetto),  a  tree  distributed 
throughout  the  maritime  parts  of  the  state.  To  northern  eyes, — 
yes,  to  the  eyes  of  all  who  are  really  en  rapport  with  whatever  is 
attractive  in  nature, — this  strange  tree  is  always  wonderful. 
I  can  never  pass  it  without  turning  to  gaze  at  it  with  awe  and 
admiration;  it  is  so  absolutely  unlike  anything  that  the  dweller 
of  the  temperate  zone  is  used  to.  Singly  or  in  groups  it  is  always 
attractive. 

This  tree  is  at  its  best  in  rich  hammocks  though  it  frequently 
grows  in  low  pine  land  or  the  edges  of  prairies  or  brackish  swamps. 
It  will  do  well  on  high  pine  land  if  well  mulched  or  treated  with 
muck.  There  are  those  who  can  transplant  this  tree  when 
grown  to  a  good  size  by  cutting  off  the  leaves  and  the  roots 
close  to  the  stem,  taking  care  not  to  injure  the  bark  in  any  way, 


IN  FLORIDA  99 

but  I  have  never  been  able  to  make  anything  larger  than  small 
plants  with  a  few  leaves  grow. 

Along  the  shores  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  for  some  distance  to  the 
northward  there  grows  a  dwarf  I  nodes  (I.  megacarpa)  in  rocky 
or  sandy  pine  land,  which  is  believed  by  some  to  be  a  depau- 
perate form  of  the  common  cabbage  palmetto.  The  trunk  of  this 
form  is  either  prostrate  or  bent  back  deep  into  the  ground,  from 
whence  it  rises  to  the  surface  where  it  throws  out  a  head  of 
leaves.  Its  larger  seeds  and  peculiar  manner  of  growth  would 
seem  to  be  good  distinguishing  characters.  If  given  plenty  of 
fertilizer  this  makes  a  fine  object,  and,  with  the  saw  palmetto, 
is  very  useful  for  forming  low  screens  along  the  sea. 

The  despised  saw  palmetto  (Serenoa  serrulata),  when  given 
room  and  a  little  care,  makes  fine  clumps  and  can  be  used  with 
highly  decorative  effect,  especially  at  the  border  of  large  groups 
of  palms.  There  are  several  varieties  of  it,  just  as  there  are  of 
the  cabbage  palmetto.  One  of  them  has  leaves  of  a  glaucous, 
bluish  tint,  in  another  they  are  brilliant  green;  and  there  are  forms 
which  are  almost  arboreal. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  state  a  low  growing  fan  palm 
(Sabal  adansoni)  is  found,  mostly  in  moist  ground,  which  some- 
what resembles  the  saw  palmetto.  It  has  been  placed  by  some 
botanists  in  with  the  genus  Inodes  but  the  most  obvious  differ- 
ence is  that  this  species  has  flat  leaves  while  in  all  the  Inodes 
the  midrib  is  curved  back  toward  the  summit  of  the  leaf.  This 
low  Sabal  does  finely  on  pine  land  and  is  a  good  species  for 
borders  of  groups  of  palms. 

Growing  in  the  same  general  region  as  the  last  is  the  porcu- 
pine palm,  Rhapidophyllum  hystrix,  which  has  fan-shaped 
leaves  that  are  silvery  underneath  and  is  armed  with  many 
long  spines  or  needles.  It  is  an  exceedingly  slow  grower  but  is 
well  worth  cultivating  in  shaded  situations,  and  when  in  bloom 
is  very  attractive. 

The  genus  Thrinax,  comprising  fan-leaved,  usually  slender 
stemmed,  palms  is  represented  in  Florida  by  four  species,  all 
of  them  living  on  the  lower  keys  and  the  extreme  southern  part 
of  the  mainland.  Until  recently  the  species  have  been  in  much 
confusion,  it  having  been  believed  that  all  of  ours  were  West 

8 


100  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Indian  forms.  Not  long  ago  Professor  C.  S.  Sargent  discovered 
that  three  of  these  were  new  and  bestowed  new  names  on  them 
and  described  them. 

T.  floridana  has  been  sold  as  T.  parviflora  and  was  so  named 
by  Vasey.  It  has  been  found  on  the  southwest  coast  of  the 
state  from  Cape  Romano  to  Cape  Sable  and  On  several  of  the 
lower  keys.  The  leaves  are  yellow  green  above  and  silvery 
beneath,  and  the  slightly  tapering  stem  is  from  four  to  six  inches 
in  diameter ;  the  tree  occasionally  reaches  a  height  of  thirty  feet. 

T.  keyensis  is  a  stouter  tree  than  the  last,  as  its  stem  some- 
times reaches  a  diameter  of  fourteen  inches,  with  rather  smooth, 
ashen  gray  bark.  It  has  large,  thin  leaves  which  are  silvery 
underneath  and  dark  green  above.  It  has  been  reported  from 
the  Marquesas  and  Crab  Keys,  but  lately  was  found  by  Mr. 
John  Soar  and  the  writer  on  Pumpkin  Key.  It  has  a  base  of 
thick,  matted  roots. 

T.  microcarpa  is  a  taller  and  more  slender  species  than  the 
last  and  has  no  basal  enlargement:  the  under  side  of  the  leaves 
is  silvery. 

T.  wendlandiana  is  a  very  common  form  on  the  lower  keys 
and  on  parts  of  the  south  shore  of  the  mainland,  also  in  Cuba. 
This  species  has  been  continually  confused  by  botanists,  having 
been  identified  under  several  other  names.  The  writer  called 
Professor  Sargent's  attention  to  the  fact  that  its  leaves  were 
green  beneath  and  insisted  that  it  was  new  to  Florida,  and  when 
specimens  were  .submitted  to  Beccari,  the  Italian  palm  expert, 
he  pronounced  it  to  be  this  Cuban  species.  The  leaves  often 
show  a  tendency  to  face  each  other  in  parallel  series.  It  has 
a  taller  and  more  slender  stem  than  our  other  species. 

Coccothrinax  jucunda  is  a  beautiful  palm  which  grows  on  several 
of  the  lower  keys  and  is  closely  related  to  Thrinax.  It  has  a 
smooth,  brownish  gray  stem  and  elegant,  glossy,  fan  leaves 
which  are  brilliantly  silvered  beneath.  It  rarely  reaches  a  height 
of  twenty-five  feet,  but  when  finely  grown  is  a  most  beautiful 
object. 

C.  garberi  is  very  much  like  jucunda  but  is  smaller  in  all  its 
parts,  and,  if  possible,  is  more  beautiful  and  more  satiny  beneath 


IN  FLORIDA  101 

its  leaves.     It  grows  only,  so  far  as  is  known,  along  the  shores 
of  Biscayne  Bay. 

All  the  species  of  the  Thrinax  group  that  have  come  under 
my  notice  grow  slowly  at  first  but  all  are  beautiful  either  as  pot 
plants  or  in  the  open  where  they  are  not  subject  to  frost.  They 
grow  more  rapidly  when  they  attain  to  some  size  and  are  perfectly 
at  home  in  partial  shade  or  sunshine  and  in  all  soils  from  damp 
muck  to  high  pine  land. 

Pseudo  phoenix  sargenti  is  a  pinnate  leaved  palm  which  has 
been  found  in  a  wild  state  on  Elliott's  Key  and,  according  to 
Sargent,  on  the  east  end  of  Key  Largo  near  the  northern  shore. 
It  is  a  rather  slender,  stiff  looking  palm  with  very  dark  green 
foliage,  and  though  a  striking  tree  is  not  nearly  so  ornamental 
as  some  of  our  other  native  palms.  I  understand  that  it  is 
practically  extinct  in  the  localities  I  have  given  as  many  speci- 
mens have  been  dug  up  and  taken  away  to  be  planted,  but  it 
does  well  in  cultivation. 

Two  species  of  fan  palms  belonging  to  the  genus  Acoelorraphe 
are  found  growing  in  almost  inaccessible  swamps  in  extreme  South 
Florida.  A.  arbor escens  belongs  to  the  Chokoloskee  River  region 
and  reaches  a  height  of  forty  feet  with  more  or  less  recumbent  or 
erect  stems,  often  in  clusters.  I  found  a  single  specimen  of 
what  I  suppose  is  this  species  back  of  Flamingo,  near  White- 
water Bay. 

A.  wrighti  is  found  in  similar  situations  to  the  last  along  the 
south  coast  of  the  mainland.  It  grows  in  immense  clumps  fifty 
feet  or  more  across  and  thirty  feet  high,  and  when  seen  in  such 
masses  it  is  a  beautiful  object.  The  latter  species  is  growing 
finely  in  moist  ground  at  Mr.  John  Soar's  place  and  without 
doubt  the  former  would  succeed  in  a  like  situation. 

Lastly  the  coconut  (Cocos  nucifera)  has  been  completely 
naturalized  on  the  Florida  Keys  and  the  lower  mainland.  It  is 
cultivated  occasionally  as  far  north  as  Manatee  on  the  west 
coast  and  Fort  Pierce  on  the  east  coast.  No  words  can  ade- 
quately describe  the  beauty  of  this  palm,  which  is  as  fine  and 
vigorous  in  many  of  the  lower  Floridian  localities  as  it  is  within 
the  tropics. 

I  have  entered  into  some  detail  in  my  account  of  our  native 


102  O&N'AMElsTAL  GARDENING 

palms  because  all  of  them  are  well  worthy  of  cultivation  and  it 
is  probable  that  all  of  them  may  be  successfully  grown.  The 
cabbage  palmetto,  the  porcupine  palm,  the  saw  palmetto  and 
Sabal  will  prove  hardy  without  doubt  throughout  most  of  the 
state;  the  other  species  will,  most  likely,  only  succeed  in  the 
lower  part  of  it.  It  is  probable  that  the  species  which  grow  in 
swamps  will,  with  liberal  feeding,  do  well  on  high  ground. 

NATIVE  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 

Florida  is  rich  in  native  trees  and  undoubtedly  has  a  consider- 
ably larger  number  of  such  species  than  any  other  state  in  the 
Union.  In  the  northern  part  are  many  species  belonging  in  the 
colder  part  of  the  eastern  United  States,  such  as  the  oaks,  hick- 
ories, ashes,  maples  and  walnuts.  Then  a  number  of  warm 
temperate  forms  occur,  and  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state 
there  are  considerably  over  one  hundred  species  whose  metrop- 
olis is  in  the  American  Tropics,  or  which  have  been  derived 
from  tropical  forms.  Many  of  our  trees  are  quite  ornamental 
and  a  considerable  number  of  them  have  been  cultivated. 

Both  the  Georgia  Pine  (Pinus  palustris)  and  the  Caribbean 
pine  (P.  caribaea)  are  striking  trees,  quite  ornamental,  and  good 
specimens  should  be  left  for  ornament  when  ground  is  being 
cleared. 

Tumi  on  taxifolium,  better  known  as  Torreya  taxifolia  or 
Stinking  Cedar,  is  a  handsome  tree  related  to  the  yews  and  has 
proved  to  be  hardy  much  farther  north  than  its  native  locality, 
the  left  bank  of  the  Appalachicola  River.  It  has  been  suggested 
that  it  be  grown  in  a  half  shaded,  somewhat  moist  location. 

Juniperus  barbadensis,  the  red  cedar  of  Florida,  also  found  in 
the  Bahamas  and  several  of  the  West  Indies,  is  often  planted  in 
cemeteries  in  the  state  and  is  the  most  attractive  of  the  Junipers. 

Casuarina  eqidsetifolia,  Australian  Pine,  is  not  a  pine  at  all  nor 
any  near  relation  thereto.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Oriental  Tropics 
but  is  now  quite  generally  distributed  throughout  the  warmer 
parts  of  the  world.  It  is  an  exceedingly  rapid  grower  with  hard, 
durable  wood  of  a  reddish  color  and  is  often  called  Beefwood  on 
this  account.  It  has  become  completely  naturalized  on  the 
lower  keys  and  mainland  and  will  flourish  on  any  kind  of  soil, 


IN  FLORIDA  103 

though  it  is  quite  tender.  It  is  much  used  for  shading  roads  and 
streets. 

Quercus  laurifolia,  one  of  the  water  oaks,  is  a  handsome, 
evergreen  tree  found  growing  wild  as  far  south  as  Cape  Romano 
on  the  west  coast  and  Arch  Creek  on  the  east.  It  grows  in 
moist,  rich  soil  and  ought  to  do  well  in  any  fairly  good  ground.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  oaks. 

Quercus  virginiana,  Live  Oak.  A  majestic,  evergreen  tree, 
attaining  a  great  height  and  spread,  common  generally  through- 
out the  lower  south  in  good  soil.  It  is  universally  respected  and 
allowed  to  stand  in  the  vicinity  of  dwellings  wherever  it  is  native, 
and  is  often  planted  for  ornament.  It  is  a  rapid  grower  when 
young  and  would  probably  do  well  in  ordinary  pine  land  if  fer- 
tilized and  cared  for.  It  more  or  less  completely  sheds  its  leaves 
in  late  winter,  but  is  soon  covered  with  pale  new  foliage  which 
rapidly  changes  to  dark  green.  When  they  are  draped  with  long 
moss  they  are  weirdly  beautiful  and  are  among  the  most  striking 
objects  of  our  southern  forests. 

Ulmus  americanus,  White  Elm.  It  may  not  be  generally 
known  that  this  tree  extends  south  to  Peace  Creek  on  the  west 
coast  of  Florida  and  to  Cape  Canaveral  on  the  east  side.  It 
will  no  doubt  do  well  when  planted  as  an  ornamental  in  good  soil 
throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  state. 

CeUis  occidentalis,  Hackberry.  A  fine  tree  which  ranges  down 
to  near  the  extreme  southern  end  of  the  state,  which  is  sometimes 
planted  for  shade  and  ornament  in  the  south. 

Ficus  aurea,  or  Wild  Fig,  is  a  common  tree  in  the  southern  half 
of  the  state,  and  is  often  planted  for  ornament.  It  retains  its 
glossy,  leathery  leaves  usually  until  near  spring  when  suddenly 
they  turn  yellow  and  are  apparently  pushed  off  by  the  new  ones. 
Sometimes  a  part  of  a  tree  will  be  almost  entirely  bare  during  this 
process  while  another  part  will  be  clothed  with  the  rich  green 
leaves  of  the  last  year ;  in  another  part  they  may  be  yellow  and  in 
still  another  place  the  new  leaves  will  be  showing.  The  tree 
attains  its  greatest  size  and  development  on  the  southeast  coast, 
where  it  drops  its  air  roots  in  such  great  profusion  that  they  often 
twist  into  ropes  or  glue  themselves  to  one  or  more  of  the  trunks. 
In  the  course  of  years  the  tree  becomes  a  veritable  banyan  and 


104  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

is  one  of  the  most  striking  vegetable  productions  of  Florida. 
F.  populnea,  a  closely  related  species  with  smaller  leaves,  also 
throws  out  air  roots  and  becomes  a  banyan.  Both  are  stranglers, 
each  often  beginning  life  from  a  seed  dropped  by  a  bird  on  the 
trunk  of  a  tree  where  it  germinates,  and  by  sending  down  its  air 
roots  eventually  strangles  its  host.  Later  the  poor  tree  decays 
and  the  Ficus,  having  become  an  almost  solid  cylinder,  begins  to 
grow  on  the  inside,  thus  for  a  time  becoming  an  endogen,  and 
finally  it  forms  a  solid  trunk.  At  this  stage  no  one  would  sus- 
pect that  it  had  ever  been  a  strangling  epiphyte. 

Coccolobis  uvifera,  Shore  Grape,  grows  abundantly  along  sea- 
shores throughout  the  southern  half  of  the  state.  It  has  large, 
almost  round,  very  thick,  glossy  leaves,  and  bears  long  spikes 
of  purplish  fruits  of  a  rather  pleasant,  subacid  taste.  The  young 
leaves  are  of  various  shades  of  red  and  when  mature  have  red 
veins;  when  dying  they  become  a  splendid  orange,  red  or  purple. 
Charles  Kingsley  said  it  was  the  most  beautiful  broad  leafed 
plant  he  had  ever  seen.  Ordinarily  it  grows  as  a  great,  straggling 
shrub  or  half  tree  but  when  given  room  and  attention  it  becomes 
a  good  sized  tree.  It  may  be  grown  from  seed  or  dug  up  from 
the  shore  and  transplanted.  C.  laurifolia,  the  Pigeon  Plum, 
which  is  somewhat  more  tender,  is  also  a  handsome  tree. 

Magnolia  foetida.  The  very  appropriate  name  by  which  this 
tree  has  been  known  (M.  grandiflora)  has  been  changed  to  the 
above,  which  is  little  short  of  an  outrage.  This,  the  most  glori- 
ous of  southern  trees,  grows  as  far  south  as  Manatee  on  the  west 
coast.  It  is  cultivated  as  far  south  as  Fort  Myers  on  the  west 
coast  and  in  this  vicinity  Mr.  M.  S.  Mishler  has  a  fine  tree  eight 
years  planted  that  is  twenty  feet  high  and  is  in  perfect  health, 
blooming  finely  each  year.  This  tree  is  one  of  the  most  superb  in 
the  whole  world,  and  would  be  well  worth  planting  for  its  fine 
foliage  alone.  Every  plant  grower  in  Florida  should  attempt  its 
cultivation.  If  dug  up  from  the  ground  it  should  be  defoliated 
and  it  is  better  to  transplant  it  in  cool  weather. 

M.  glauca  is  a  fine  species,  extending  south  to  the  shores  of 
Biscayne  Bay,  often  growing  in  brackish  swamps  and  blooming 
during  most  of  the  year.  It  is  as  fragrant  as  the  other  and  would 
probably  do  well  on  rich,  high  ground. 


IN   FLORIDA  105 

M .  macro phylla  with  immense  flowers  a  foot  across,  grows  as 
far  south  as  middle  Florida  and  is  often  cultivated. 

Liquidambar  styraciflua,  Sweet  Gum,  is  a  lofty  tree  which 
ranges  south  to  Tampa  Bay  and  Cape  Canaveral.  It  has  at- 
tractive, starry  leaves  which  become  wonderfully  brilliant  in 
autumn.  Although  an  inhabitant  of  swamps  it  will  grow  well 
on  rich,  moderately  dry  soil. 

Prunus  caroliniana,  Carolina  Laurel,  Wild  Orange.  A  beau- 
tiful small  tree  growing  as  far  south  as  Biscay ne  Bay,  having 
rich,  glossy,  deep  green  leaves  and  bearing  white  flowers  in 
spring.  It  would  make  an  excellent  wind  break  or  hedge  as  it  is 
evergreen  and  will  stand  clipping;  it  is  fine  as  a  single  specimen 
or  in  mixed  planting. 

Another  closely  related  tree  is  Laurocerasus  sphaerocarpus 
which  is  found  in  the  United  States  only  along  the  shores  of 
Biscayne  Bay,  though  it  is  abundant  in  the  West  Indies.  It  has 
elegant,  glossy  leaves  and  in  November  is  covered  with  flowers, 
recalling  those  of  the  northern  plums.  It  ripens  its  small, 
greenish,  globular  fruit  in  spring  or  early  summer.  It  is  found 
in  hammocks,  is  one  of  our  most  attractive  trees,  and  would 
doubtless  do  well  in  any  good  soil  where  there  is  but  little  frost. 

Acacia  farnesiana.  This  pretty  little  tree,  sometimes  called 
Popinac,  has  become  completely  naturalized  in  southern  Florida, 
usually  growing  in  the  edges  of  hammocks  near  the  sea.  It  has 
delicate  compound  leaves  and  globular  heads  of  exceedingly 
fragrant  yellow  flowers.  A  single  tree  in  bloom  will  scent  a 
large  garden  on  a  calm  night.  It  does  well  in  pine  land. 

Cercis  canadensis,  Redbud  or  Judas  Tree,  grows  south  to  Tampa 
Bay.  It  is  a  deciduous  tree,  blooming  when  naked  and  is  then  a 
charming  object  either  in  the  woods  or  in  cultivated  grounds. 
It  \vill  grow  in  any  good  soil. 

Parkinsonia  aculeata  is  a  native  of  Texas  but  is  naturalized 
at  Key  West  and  probably  some  other  places  in  South  Florida. 
It  is  a  peculiar  small  tree  with  long  pinnate  leaves  and  small 
leaflets,  which  usually  fall  before  the  rachis  does.  The  nearly 
regular  yellow  flowers  are  airily  beautiful.  If  planted  on  pine 
land  it  should  be  well  fertilized. 

Guaiacum  sanctum  is  one  of  the  Lignum- vitae  trees  and  is 


106  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

found  on  the  lower  keys.  It  has  small,  one-sided  leaflets  and 
pretty  blue  flowers,  and  with  me  has  grown  slowly  in  hammock. 

Amyris  elemifera,  Torchwood.  A  delicately  beautiful  little 
tropical  tree  which  inhabits  only  the  lower  end  of  the  state,  with 
trifoliate  leaves  arid  hard,  resinous  wood.  It  is  found  in  ham- 
mocks and  would  probably  do  best  in  rich  ground  in  partial 
shade. 

Simaruba  glauca.  This  is  one  of  the  Quassia  trees,  its  bark 
and  wood  being  intensely  bitter.  It  grows  in  the  United  States 
only  along  the  southeast  coast  and  keys.  The  glossy  pinnate 
leaves  are  very  handsome,  hence  it  is  called  Paradise  Tree. 
When  planted  in  good  soil  where  there  is  little  frost  it  does  well. 

Bursera  simaruba,  commonly  called  Gumbo  Limbo  or  West 
Indian  Birch.  This  is  one  of  the  most  striking  trees  of  lower 
Florida,  and  is  abundant  everywhere  in  hammocks.  Its  tall, 
usually  branchless  and  crooked  trunk  bears  a  few  tortuous 
branches  at  the  top;  the  whole  covered  with  smooth,  shining, 
copper  colored  bark.  This  continually  peels  off  like  that  of  a 
birch.  The  compound  leaves  are  glossy  but  not  especially 
attractive  and  are  deciduous  in  winter  or  spring.  Occasionally 
a  tree  has  silvery  or  variegated  bark,  and  the  trunk  is  always 
conspicuous  and  striking.  Large  stems  driven  in  the  ground  will 
root  and  grow  in  pine  or  hammock.  It  furnishes  the  Gum  Elemi 
of  druggists. 

Swietenia  mahagoni,  or  Mahogany,  grows  on  the  extreme 
southern  mainland  and  the  lower  keys  in  considerable  quantity. 
In  the  American  Tropics  and  especially  Honduras  this  tree 
gro\vs  to  a  large  size.  It  is  generally  a  crooked  tree,  the  leaves 
are  pinnate,  glossy,  and  the  leaflets  are  one-sided.  The  large, 
obovate  seed  vessels  are  striking  and  the  tree  is  attractive  and 
well  worthy  of  cultivation.  It  will  grow  in  all  soils  from  brackish 
marsh  to  pine  land. 

Dry  petes  keyensis  and  D.  lateriflora  are  attractive  trees  with 
thick,  glossy  leaves ;  the  former  has  ivory  white  fruit  and  that  of 
the  latter  is  red.  They  are  both  tropical. 

Ilex  opaca,  Holly,  grows  south  to  Mosquito  Inlet  and  Char- 
lotte Harbor  and  is  too  well  known  to  need  comment.  It  will 
probably  succeed  over  most  of  the  state  in  good  soil. 


IN  FLORIDA  107 

The  Red  Maple  (Acer  rubruni)  is  another  very  well-known 
tree  which  grows  as  far  south  as  New  River  in  Broward  County. 
It  prefers  moist,  rich  soil.  When  covered  with  its  red  flowers  or 
showing  its  autumn  leaves  it  is  a  pretty  object. 

Sapindus  saponaria,  Soapberry.  A  native  of  the  extreme 
southern  part  of  the  state,  having  winged  pinnate  leaves  and 
small,  yellow,  globular  fruit.  It  will  probably  do  well  on  almost 
any  kind  of  soil. 

Gordonia  lasianthus ,  Loblolly  Bay.  This  handsome  small 
tree  receives  this  name,  no  doubt,  because  it  grows  in  swamps. 
It  reaches  south  to  near  the  lower  end  of  the  mainland  of  the 
state.  It  has  thick,  glossy,  elongated  leaves  and  handsome, 
large,  white  flowers  produced  in  summer.  Will  probably  grow 
on  good  soil  almost  anywhere  in  the  state  but,  so  far,  it  has 
failed  with  me,  perhaps  on  account  of  the  lime  in  the  soil. 

The  Wild  Cinnamon  (Canella  winteriana)  is  found  on  the  lower 
keys  and  extreme  southern  mainland.  It  is  a  handsome  small 
tree  with  thick,  glossy,  elongated  -  leaves.  All  parts  of  it  are 
acrid  and  have  a  slight  flavor  of  cinnamon. 

Eugenia  confusa,  Red  Stopper.  This  tree  was  formerly  called 
E.  garberi  after  a  dear  botanist  who  did  excellent  work  on  the 
flora  of  Florida,  but  the  name  has  been  changed  for  some  reason. 
It  is  a  beautiful  tree  with  thick,  glossy,  long-pointed  leaves  and 
small  white  flowers.  It  is  a  hammock  tree,  found  in  the  United 
States  only  along  the  shores  of  Biscayne  Bay;  it  should  be  grown 
in  good  soil  from  seed  as  it  does  not  transplant  well  from  the 
woods. 

Cormis  florida,  the  well-known  Flowering  Dogwood,  is  found 
in  the  northern  half  of  the  state.  It  is  a  beautiful  ornament  of 
the  wroods  in  spring  and  would  probably  do  well  throughout 
most  of  the  state  if  planted  in  good  soil  and  somewhat  shaded. 

The  Marlberry  (Icacorea  paniculata)  is  a  rather  attractive 
large  shrub  or  small  tree  growing  in  hammocks  in  the  south  half 
of  Florida.  It  has  thick,  glossy  leaves  and  in  autumn  dainty 
bell-shaped  flowers  in  clusters  that  are  so  richly  and  spicily 
fragrant  that  they  can  be  smelled  for  long  distances.  The  wood 
is  very  hard,  and  the  tree  must  be  grown  from  seed. 

Jacquinia  keyensis  is  another  small  tree  or  large  shrub  with 


108  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

exquisitely  fragrant  flowers  which  open  in  winter.  It  grows 
along  the  littoral  from  Sanibel  Island  around  the  south  coast. 

Chrysophyllum  olivaeforme  is  one  of  the  loveliest  of  our  native 
trees.  It  has  elliptical  leaves  of  a  deep,  metallic  green  above  with 
a  golden,  coppery  pubescence  beneath.  This  tree  would  prob- 
ably do  well  in  fairly  rich  soil  but,  I  think,  should  be  shaded,  at 
least  when  young. 

Mimusops  sieberi,  Wild  Dilly,  is  a  handsome  tree  closely  re- 
lated to  the  sapodilla.  It  is  found  only  on  the  extreme  lower  part 
of  the  state  in  our  region  and  is  therefore  tropical.  Its  fruit  is  an 
inch  in  diameter  and  the  pulp  is  probably  about  the  stickiest 
thing  in  nature.  It  will  most  likely  do  well  in  rich  soil. 

The  Fringe  Tree  (Chionanthus  wrginica)  grows  through  north 
Florida  as  far  south  as  Tampa.  It  is  a  large  shrub  or  small  tree, 
is  grown  for  its  drooping,  graceful  panicles  of  fragrant,  whitish 
flowers,  and  probably  would  do  best  in  rich,  moist  soil. 

Cordia  sebestina  is  commonly  called  Geiger  Tree.  It  is  rather 
a  straggling  grower  with  large,  cordate  leaves  and  clusters  of 
brilliant  orange  red  flowers,  perhaps  the  handsomest  of  any  tree 
native  to  Florida.  It  may  easily  be  grown  from  cuttings  of 
partly  hardened  wood,  but  it  will  stand  only  a  little  frost. 

Crescentia  cucurbitana,  Black  Calabash,  grows  wild  in  the  United 
States  only  along  the  shores  of  Biscayne  Bay.  It  is  a  handsome 
small  tree  with  large,  glossy  leaves,  irregular  purplish  flowers, 
followed  by  oval  fruits  three  inches  in  diameter.  Will  grow  in 
any  soil  not  too  poor. 

In  extreme  southern  Florida  a  small  tree  called  Prince  Wood 
(Exostema  caribaeum)  with  opposite,  lanceolate  leaves  and  long 
tubular  white  flowers  that  look  a  little  like  those  of  a  Fuchsia 
is  sparingly  found.  It  is  a  very  attractive  small  tree  and  should 
be  generally  cultivated. 

Genipa  dusiifolia,  Seven  Years  Apple.  A  small  tree  with 
thick,  obovate  leaves,  pretty  white  flowers  and  oval  fruits  three 
inches  long.  It  is  said  that  it  takes  this  fruit  seven  years  to 
ripen  and  it  no  doubt  does  for  I  have  never  yet  seen  one  ripe  or 
fit  to  eat. 

Sambucus  intermedia,  Elderberry.  This  species,  which  grows 
in  lower  Florida,  is  a  more  profuse,  showy  bloomer  than  the 


IN  FLORIDA  109 

northern  one.  It  reaches  the  dimensions  of  a  small  tree  and 
grows  in  moist  places  but  will  flourish  on  dry  ground. 

Paritium  elatum,  Cuban  Bast.  I  am  not  positive  that  this 
tree  grows  wild  in  Florida  though  I  have  evidence  which  goes  to 
show  that  it  does,  and  that  it  has  been  found  along  the  shores 
of  Biscayne  Bay.  It  is  a  spreading  tree  with  large,  cordate, 
nearly  orbicular  and  pointed  leaves  and  good  sized  flowers  which 
are  a  peculiar  buff  color  at  first  and  turn  to  brownish  red  at  a 
later  stage.  I  have  a  tree  fifty  feet  high  in  my  grounds  which  is 
always  in  flower.  The  variety  abutiloides  is  abundant  at  Baker's 
Haulover  at  the  head  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  has  lighter  green  leaves 
and  larger  flowers.  Although  it  is  found  there  in  a  brackish 
swamp  it  does  finely  on  high  pine  land. 

Paritium  tiliaceum.  This  is  a  native  of  the  Old  World  Tropics 
and  is  widely  distributed  along  the  sea  throughout  the  warmer 
parts  of  the  world.  It  has  been  found  along  the  shores  of  Bis- 
cayne Bay  and  it  does  well  in  cultivation  in  ground  that  is  not 
too  poor.  Its  leaves  are  smoother  than  those  of  either  of  the 
others  and  they  are  darker  green.  The  blossoms  are  large  and 
handsome,  yellow  at  first  and  turning  darker  later. 

Thespesia  populnea  grows  on  the  lower  keys  and  coast  of  the 
state  and  has  shining,  cordate  leaves  and  salmon  or  pinkish, 
bell-shaped  flowers  which  are  quite  attractive.  If  grown  on 
pine  land  it  should  be  well  fertilized. 

There  are  several  ornamental  trees  which  extend  their  range 
into  the  extreme  western  or  northern  part  of  the  state  which  I 
have  not  listed  as  they  belong  to  the  northern  flora  and  prob- 
ably would  not  do  well  much  farther  south.  Nearly  all  that  I 
have  mentioned  grow  in  hammocks  or  rich  lowland,  consequently 
if  they  are  planted  in  high  pine  land  the  soil  should  be  enriched 
and  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  mulch  them.  In  a  general  way  it 
is  not  to  be  expected  that  trees  which  grow  wild  in  Florida  will 
succeed  much  farther  north  than  the  limits  I  have  indicated, 
though  sometimes  they  may. 

Many  of  our  native  trees  and  shrubs  are  very  attractive  and 
striking  and  would  be  useful  in  cultivation,  and  some  of  them  are 
on  the  verge  of  extermination  within  our  limits.  A  few  of  the 
softer-wooded  species  can  be  propagated  from  cuttings.  Some  of 


110  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

the  hard-wooded  forms  do  not  transplant  well  from  the  forest  and 
it  is  best  to  propagate  them  from  seed. 

NATIVE   ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS. 

Erythrina  herbacea,  Coral  Bush,  is  a  straggling  shrub  with 
trifoliate  leaves  and  in  spring,  spikes  of  dark  crimson  flowers 
which  are  followed  by  moniliform  pods  containing  scarlet  beans. 
There  is  a  form  growing  in  South  Florida  that  is  sometimes 
arboreal  which  has  been  called  Erythrina  arborea,  but  is  probably 
only  a  variety  of  the  above. 

Hamelia  patens  has  no  common  name  that  I  know,  though  it  is 
attractive  enough  to  deserve  one.  It  is  a  large,  rather  compact 
shrub  with  reddish  green,  oval  leaves  and  clusters  of  elegant, 
tubular,  orange  red  flowers  borne  throughout  most  of  the  year. 
It  thrives  in  pine  land  over  the  south  half  of  the  state. 

Catesbaea  parviflora,  a  thorny,  branching  shrub  with  small, 
almost  round,  glossy  leaves  and  white  flowers  which  is  quite 
ornamental.  I  have  only  seen  it  on  Bahia  Honda  Key  where  it 
stands  a  chance  of  speedy  extermination.  It  grows  in  dry, 
sandy  soil. 

Pinckneya  pubens.  A  large  shrub  or  small  tree  growing  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  state,  with  oval  or  oblong  leaves  and  showy, 
greenish  flowers  spotted  with  purple.  It  grows  in  swamps  or 
low  hammocks. 

Yucca  gloriosa,  Spanish  Bayonet.  It  is  hard  to  say  whether 
this  and  the  following  are  trees,  shrubs  or  herbaceous  perennials. 
This  species  extends  along  the  Atlantic  coast  into  North  Florida 
while  Y.  aloifolia  is  Floridian  and  West  Indian. 

Yucca  aloifolia.  Both  of  these  are  splendid  ornaments  of  the 
flower  garden  and  will  grow  in  poor  soil  and  with  little  care. 
The  former  is  not  so  tall  as  the  latter  and  its  leaves  have  smooth 
edges. 

Sophora  tomentosa  is  an  attractive,  pinnate-leaved  shrub 
with  yellow  flowers,  growing  along  the  coasts  of  peninsular 
Florida.  Will  do  well  in  pine  land. 

Cereus  monoclonos.  This  is  found  on  the  lower  keys  where 
it  grows  in  immense  clumps  up  to  fifteen  feet  high;  the  stems 


IN  FLORIDA  III 

being  sometimes  as  large  as  a  man's  thigh.  It  is  a  most  striking 
plant  but  it  has  never  done  well  for  me. 

Cereus  serpentinus.  I  first  discovered  this  plant  in  a  Floridian 
locality  on  shell  mounds  in  McGill's  Bay,  near  Terra  Ceia  on  the 
west  coast;  then  later  on  several  of  the  lower  keys  and  the  ex- 
treme southern  mainland.  It  is  a  sprawler  and  bears  large, 
handsome  nocturnal  white  flowers.  It  has  not  done  very  well 
for  me  here  but  succeeded  admirably  at  Bradentown. 

Osmanihus  americanus,  Florida  Olive,  is  a  fine  large  shrub  with 
thick,  lance-oblong  leaves  and  panicles  of  dull  white,  fragrant 
flowers.  It  is  hardy  all  over  the  state. 

Lantana  camara.  A  half  shrubby  plant  or  bush  with  rough 
stems  and  leaves  and  umbels  of  strong-scented,  yellow  flowers. 
It  will  grow  on  pine  or  hammock  land. 

Callicarpa  americana  is  another  half -shrub  related  to  Lantana 
having  dense  clusters  of  purple  berries  in  whorls  on  the  stems. 
It  grows  usually  in  the  edges  of  hammocks. 

Tecoma  stans,  or  Yellow  Elder,  is  too  well  known  over  the  south 
half  of  the  state  to  need  any  description.  It  is  the  Queen  of  the 
Autumn  here,  being  covered  at  intervals  for  months  with  great 
clusters  of  golden  trumpets.  It  comes  up  in  gardens  very  freely 
from  naturally  planted  seed  and  these  plants  are  so  cheerful  and 
beautiful  I  never  have  the  heart  to  destroy  them.  It  is  natural- 
ized in  lower  Florida. 

ORNAMENTAL  NATIVE  VINES. 

Vanilla  eggersi,  Florida  Vanilla.  This  curious  vine  is  found  in 
a  few  hammocks  in  the  lower  part  of  the  state.  It  has  thick 
round  stems  and  almost  scale-like  leaves  and  clusters  of  purplish 
green,  fragrant  flowers.  V.  articulata,  a  closely  related  species 
grows  wild  over  the  same  territory  as  eggersi.  If  planted  at  the 
foot  of  trees  they  will  climb  up  them. 

Rosa  setigera,  the  common  Prairie  Rose  found  from  Ontario  to 
Texas,  is  also  a  native  of  northern  Florida  and  is  widely  cultivated. 
It  should  do  well  anywhere  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 

Rosa  cherokeensis,  Cherokee  Rose,  is  too  well  known  to  need 
any  comment.  It  is  hardy  all  over  the  state  and  is  generally 
useful  wherever  a  climbing  plant  is  needed. 


112  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

Guilandina  bonducella  is  the  Gray  Nicker  Bean,  a  strong  grow- 
ing climber,  very  prickly  and  bearing  short,  thorny  pods  con- 
taining the  well-known  Nicker  Beans.  Rather  tender. 

Guilandina  bonduc  is  similar  but  has  yellow  beans,  and  the 
compound  leaflets  are  larger.  Both  are  quite  ornamental. 
Tender. 

Canavalia  obtusifolia  has  purple,  pea-shaped  flowers  and 
emarginate  leaves;  it  sprawls  mostly  on  the  ground  or  near  it. 

Canavalia  gladiata  has  larger,  pointed  leaves  and  is  a  high 
climber.  These  are  the  Jumby  Beans  of  the  West  Indian  Negroes, 
and  are  planted  by  them  so  that  they  may  not  be  "Overlooked 
by  the  Evil  Eye."  Both  are  widely  distributed  along  tropical 
shores  and  their  roots  furnish  nitrogen  for  the  soil. 

Ampelopsis  quinquefolia,  Woodbine,  wild  throughout  the 
eastern  United  States.  Abundant  in  Florida,  its  leaves  turning 
purple  here  in  midwinter.  It  has  become  almost  a  nuisance  in 
places. 

Passiflora  incarnata  is  one  of  the  many  passion  flowers.  It  has 
purplish  flowers  and  three-  to  five-lobed  leaves.  It  is  hardy  all 
over  the  state. 

Cereus  triangularis  is  a  native  of  Tropical  America  but  is 
naturalized  in  places  in  lower  Florida.  It  has  enormous  white 
flowers  which  are  nocturnal,  and  triangular  stems.  I  have  seen 
fifty  of  these  great  blossoms  on  a  single  vine  at  once, — a  sight 
for  the  gods. 

Gelsemium  sempervirens,  or  Carolina  Jessamine,  is  known  and 
loved  throughout  the  southeastern  states.  It  grows  wild  in 
Upper  Florida. 

Rhabdadenia  biflora.  A  rampant,  sprawling  vine  native  of 
brackish  swamps  in  the  more  tropical  part  of  the  state.  It  has 
opposite,  elongate  leaves  and  elegant  funnel-shaped,  fragrant 
white  flowers.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  it  would  grow  in  high 
ground  if  it  were  well  fertilized. 

Philbertella  clausa.  A  twining  herbaceous  vine  of  swamps  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  state  with  curious  fragrant  white  flowers. 

The  Goatsfoot  Ipomoea  (/.  pes-caprae)  grows  everywhere  on 
tropical  beaches.  It  will  do  well  on  high  pme  land. 

Ipomoea  bona-nox,  Moonflower,  grows  everywhere  in  South 


IN  FLORIDA  113 

Florida  in  the  borders  of  hammocks.  The  /.  tuba  is  confined 
mostly  to  the  lower  keys  and  is  quite  similar. 

Ipomoea  dissecta  is  a  species  with  finely  dissected  leaves  and 
white  and  purple  flowers. 

Ipomoea  fuchsioides  is  now  called  Exogonium  microdactylum. 
It  grows  among  the  rocky  pine  forests  of  lower  Dade  County, 
has  elongated  leaves  and  rosy  crimson  flowers  an  inch  and  a 
half  across,  and  is  one  of  the  most  exquisite  vines  I  am  acquainted 
with.  I  have  it  in  fine  condition  in  my  grounds  and  it  is  almost 
equal  to  the  famous  Ipomoea  horsfalli. 

Jacquemontia  pentantha  is  another  beautiful  contribution  from 
Florida,  belonging  to  the  Ipomoea  family.  It  is  a  native  of  the 
lower  keys.  It  has  cordate  leaves  and  elegant  blue  flowers 
produced  in  profusion.  It  is  not  long  lived  when  cultivated  in 
pine  land  but  does  better  in  hammock. 

Bignonia  capreolata.  An  evergreen  vine  of  northern  Florida 
climbing  high  by  means  of  adventive  roots  and  bearing  dull 
crimson,  trumpet-shaped  flowers.  Will  grow  well  in  pine  land 
or  hammock  in  the  lower  end  of  the  state. 

Tecoma  radicans,  or  Trumpet  Flower,  occupies  the  same  area 
as  the  last  and  is  a  more  showy  vine.  This  will  also  do  well  in 
the  southern  part  of  Florida. 

Chiococca  racemosa.  This  sprawling  vine  is  common  in  the 
hammocks  of  lower  Florida  and  bears  exquisite,  bell-shaped, 
honey-scented  flowers  in  summer. 

Lonicera  sempervirens  is  the  common  Trumpet  Honeysuckle 
which  is  distributed  throughout  most  of  the  eastern  half  of  the 
United  States  and  is  too  well  known  to  need  comment.  It  has 
been  grown  successfully  in  Dade  County. 

NATIVE  FERNS. 

I  have  treated  the  subject  of  ferns  at  some  length  in  the  chapter 
on  fern  pools  and  will  only  allude  briefly  to  our  species  here. 

Cheiroglossa  palmata,  Hand  Fern.  A  rare  fern  which  grows 
in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  of  the  cabbage  palmettos.  I  have  not 
been  successful  in  transplanting  it  but  it  might  be  grown  from 
spores.  It  has  V-shaped  fronds  cut  into  deep,  blunt  lobes. 


114  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Osmunda  spectabilis  and  0.  cinnamomea  are  grand  ferns  which 
grow  in  low  ground  and  are  well  worthy  of  cultivation. 

Acrostichum  aureum  and  A .  lomarioides  are  the  largest  and  most 
robust  ferns  found  in  the  United  States.  They  grow  in  brackish 
marshes  or  in  fresh  water  swamps  not  far  from  the  sea.  The 
former  is  the  smaller  of  the  two.  It  has  a  few  spurs  on  the 
stipes  and  the  blades  of  the  fronds  are  broader  than  those  of 
A.  lomarioides. 

Phlebodium  aureum  is  a  noble  fern  which  grows  almost  invari- 
ably among  the  leaf  stalks  of  the  cabbage  palmettos.  Its  large 
fronds  are  deeply  cut;  it  has  creeping,  swollen  rootstalks,  and 
will  grow  readily  if  these  are  transplanted  to  other  palmettos. 

Phymatodes  swartzii.  A  delicate  climbing  fern  found  on  the 
north  end  of  Key  Largo  and  in  Bauer's  hammock,  lower  Dade 
County.  It  has  lanceolate  fronds  and  creeps  over  rocks  and  trees. 

Campyloneuron  phylliditis.  A  fine  fern  with  thick,  char- 
taceous  fronds,  often  three  feet  long,  growing  on  decaying  logs 
in  the  southern  half  of  the  state. 

Vittaria  lineata,  Grass  Fern,  grows  usually  on  the  trunks  of 
cabbage  palmettos,  a  lovely  plant  with  linear,  dark  green  fronds, 
which  I  have  found  rather  difficult  to  transplant. 

Adiantum  capillus-veneris  and  A.  tenerum  are  lovely  and  dainty 
ferns,  the  former  inhabiting  the  northern  and  the  latter  the 
southern  part  of  the  state. 

Asplenium  serratum  is  a  fine  fern  resembling  a  Campyloneu- 
rum,  but  with  broader  fronds.  They  form  a  beautiful  crown 
around  the  border  of  the  plant.  It  grows  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  state,  mostly  on  rotting  logs,  though  it  is  sometimes  found 
on  the  trunks  of  trees.  There  are  several  other  species  of  Asplen- 
ium found  in  the  state,  some  of  which  are  exceedingly  delicate 
and  beautiful. 

Dryopteris  ampla.  This  noble  fern  has  a  stout,  erect  root- 
staUt  and  an  immense  crown  of  finely  divided,  compound  fronds. 
It  grows  in  hammocks  in  lower  Dade  County  and  is  a  true  tree 
fern,  the  only  one  known  in  the  United  States. 

Tectaria  heracleifolia  is  a  fine  fern  with  ample,  triangular 
fronds,  which  grows  in  lower  Dade  County  and  is  doing  well  in 
my  hammock. 


IN  FLORIDA  115 

Polypodium  pectinatum  is  a  lovely  fern  found  as  far  south  as 
Pumpkin  Key,  P.  plumula  is  also  beautiful  and  both  occur  spar- 
ingly in  peninsular  Florida. 

Nephrolepis  exaltata,  Sword  Fern,  is  widely  distributed  through- 
out the  tropics  and  is  abundant  in  southern  Florida  in  hammocks, 
both  on  the  ground  and  in  the  tops  of  cabbage  palmettos.  N. 
biserrata  is  a  stronger  growing  species  found  quite  generally  in 
hammocks  in  Dade  County.  It  occasionally  grows  on  reclining 
tree  trunks  in  damp  hammocks. 

A  large  number  of  other  native  ferns  are  attractive  and  worthy 
of  cultivation,  though  some  of  them  are  rare  or  local.  All  the 
species  I  have  mentioned  with  the  exception  of  Cheiroglossa  may 
be  grown  in  hammocks  in  any  part  of  the  state  where  they  are 
hardy. 

NATIVE  ORNAMENTAL  HERBACEOUS  PLANTS. 

Piaropus  crassipes,  Water  Hyacinth.  Introduced  from  Brazil 
and  now  a  nuisance  over  large  areas  of  the  state.  If  confined  to 
pools  or  ponds  it  can  do  no  harm,  and  the  flowers  and  foliage  are 
very  attractive. 

Tillandsia  fasciculate.  A  lovely  Bromeliad  witbr  maroon  or 
purplish  bracts  and  bluish  corollas,  common  on  trees  in  hammocks 
in  South  Florida  and  will  grow  on  any  tree  if  it  is  firmly  fastened 
to  it. 

Lilium  catesbaei  is  one  of  the  members  of  this  beautiful  genus 
which  grows  in  low  pine  land  throughout  the  northern  two- 
thirds  of  the  state,  and  would  doubtless  do  well  almost  any- 
where in  Florida  in  similar  soil.  The  bulbs  should  be  taken  up 
when  the  plants  are  dormant  and  disturbed  as  little  as  possible 
afterwards. 

Agave  sisalina,  A.  decipiens  and  A.  neglecta,  all  century  plants, 
make  fine  ornaments  but  like  the  Yuccas  it  will  not  do  to  be  too 
neighborly  with  them.  A .  decipiens  is  more  hardy  than  the  others 
and  would  probably  succeed  all  over  the  south  half  of  the  state. 

Zephyranfhes  atamasco,  Atamasco  Lily,  is  a  native  of  Florida 
and  is  quite  common  in  general  cultivation.  It  is  hardy  through- 
out the  state  and  will  do  well  in  any  good  soil,  preferably  that 
which  is  a  little  damp.  Z.  treatei  and  Z.  simpsonii  are  pretty 
plants  and  will  do  well  generally  in  Florida. 


Il6  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

Crinum  americanum  with  its  lovely  pure  white  flowers  lights 
up  the  dreary  Florida  swamps  and  is  hardy  generally  over  the 
state.  It  produces  its  fragrant  flowers  the  greater  part  of  the 
year  and  may  be  readily  transplanted.  There  are  apparently 
two  nearly  related  species  growing  in  Dade  County. 

Hymenocallis,  Spider  Lily.  There  are  several  species  of  this 
genus  which  are  natives  of  Florida  and  all  have  flowers  of  delicate 
satiny  texture.  They  look  like  little  white  umbrellas  with  the 
ribs  projecting  beyond  the  cover.  The  ribs  are  the  stamens 
and  the  cover  is  a  sort  of  crown  which  connects  them.  The 
large  green,  fleshy  seed  bulbs  are  often  carried  by  sea  from  the 
West  Indies  and  are  landed  on  our  shores  where  they  germinate. 

Canna  flaccida.  A  beautiful  native  Canna  with  yellow  flowers, 
an  inhabitant  of  wet  lands  throughout  the  state.  It  will  do  well 
in  good  soil  that  is  not  too  dry. 

Thalia  divaricata.  A  handsome  bog  plant  growing  throughout 
the  state.  It  reaches  a  height  of  ten  feet,  with  banana-like 
leaves  three  or  four  feet  long,  and  bears  elegant  purplish  flowers. 
It  should  be  planted  in  deep,  rich  soil. 

Blepharigottis.  A  genus  of  terrestrial  orchids  that  is  well  repre- 
sented in  Florida  and  one  that  contains  some  very  attractive 
species.  I  do  not  know  whether  any  attempt  has  been  made  to 
cultivate  any  of  them  or  not  but  they  should  be  tried.  B.  ciliaris 
is  especially  fine. 

Hibiscus  grandiflorus.  A  half  shrubby  plant  growing  in  swamps 
near  the  sea  coast  throughout  the  state.  It  has  hastate,  lobed 
hoary  leaves  and  very  handsome  large  pink  flowers  with  a  deep 
red  center.  It  is  abundantly  worthy  of  cultivation  and  might 
grow  in  moderately  dry,  rich  soil.  H.  moscheutos  is  very  much 
like  the  former  but  has  ovate  leaves.  There  are  several  other 
fine  native  Hibiscus  and  among  them  are  H.  coccineus  with  a 
deep  red  flower,  H.  militaris  which  is  nearly  glabrous  and  has  a 
large,  dark  eyed  pink  flower,  H.  incanus  having  a  yellow  blossom 
with  a  crimson  eye  and  H.  acuhatus  which  is  hispid  all  over,  with 
lobed  leaves  and  a  yellow,  purple-eyed  flower.  All  are  hardy 
throughout  the  state  and  are  cultivated  elsewhere. 

Verbena  maritima.  This  plant  grows  wild  in  Dade  County  and 
bears  charming  purple  flowers  in  profusion.  There  are  two 


IN  FLORIDA  117 

forms  here,  one  having  much  more  finely  dissected  leaves  than 
the  other.  Both  grow  on  dry  pine  land. 

Lobelia  cardinalis,  Cardinal  Flower.  Probably  there  is  no 
more  vivid  red  in  nature  than  the  color  of  the  flower  of  this 
plant.  It  grows  in  wet  places  and  has  a  wide  distribution  in  the 
Eastern  United  States.  It  will  do  well  in  cultivation  in  rich, 
not  too  dry  soil.  It  will  do  finely  in  partial  shade. 

There  are  many  other  native  Floridian  plants  that  might  be 
mentioned  in  this  list  which  are  worthy  of  cultivation.  This 
long  list  shows,  however,  how  rich  our  state  is  in  attractive  things 
wherewith  to  decorate  our  grounds  and  homes. 

EXOTIC  ORNAMENTAL  PLANTS. 

In  a  general  way  plants  which  are  designated  as  coming  from 
tropical  regions  will  not  prove  hardy  in  Florida  north  of  the 
extreme  lower  part  of  the  state,  though  there  are  some  notable 
exceptions.  It  sometimes  happens  that  a  plant  whose  home  is 
within  the  tropics  may  there  grow  well  up  on  the  sides  of  moun- 
tains where  it  is  exposed  to  sharp  frost  during  the  winter  months. 
And  it  is  quite  often  true  that  plants  from  warm  temperate  or 
even  temperate  countries  will  do  well  even  down  into  the  Tor- 
rid Zone.  I  have  endeavored  in  these  lists  to  point  out  such 
exceptions  as  far  as  I  knew  of  them.  Usually  the  vegetation  of 
temperate  regions  does  not  succeed  in  tropical  countries. 

In  the  following  lists  I  have  for  the  most  part  mentioned  such 
things  as  have  either  come  under  my  actual  notice  or  that  of 
competent  observers  and  cultivators  in  Florida.  Of  course  there 
are  many  plants  grown  in  the  state  that  it  was  impossible  to 
obtain  any  record  of,  and  I  have  listed  some  things  that,  so  far 
as  I  know,  have  not  been  introduced  here,  things  that  seemed  to 
me  were  especially  important  or  desirable. 

PINNATE-LEAVED  PALMS. 

Acrocomia.  A  genus  of  palms  having  the  rachides  and  trunks 
more  or  less  covered  with  spines;  the  stems  sometimes  bulging. 
They  are  all  American  and  the  distinctions  between  some  of  the 
species  are  not  very  decided.  So  far  as  my  experience  goes  they 
are  strong,  rapid  growers  and  do  well  in  Florida.  A.  sclerocarpa 


Il8  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

is  West  Indian  and  South  American;  A.  lasiospatha  has  a  small 
base  and  an  evenly  swollen  trunk ;  A .  totai  is  a  fine  species  which 
will  probably  prove  hardy  over  South  Florida;  A.  media  is  a 
very  vigorous  species  from  Porto  Rico.  All  of  these  do  well  here 
on  pine  land. 

Archonto phoenix  alexandrae  is  a  tall,  rapid  growing  palm  of 
great  beauty  and  elegance  from  Queensland.  The  pinnae  are 
more  delicate  than  those  of  the  next  species  and  are  silvery 
underneath.  This  generally  goes  under  the  name  of  Ptychos- 
perma  alexandrae.  A.  cunninghami  (Seaforthia  elegans)  is  also 
a  fine  tree,  a  little  more  robust  than  the  other.  Both  are  doing 
well  with  me  in  pine  land. 

Areca.  A  fine  genus  of  palms  from  the  Oriental  Tropics 
containing  several  species.  A.  triandra  has  leaves  which  are 
only  partially  pinnate,  being  cut  into  broad  segments.  It  is  a 
beautiful  palm  and  is  doing  fairly  well  for  me  in  sunshine  but 
I  think  it  would  succeed  better  in  partial  shade.  A .  glandiformis 
is  a  superb  palm  and  is  growing  strongly  and  rapidly  for  me. 

A.  alicaea  is  doing  fairly  well  for  me  in  shade.     A.  catechu  has 
never  succeeded  for  me. 

Arenga  saccharifera  is  the  Sugar  Palm  of  India,  a  noble  palm 
with  peculiar  leaflets.  I  have  a  fine  specimen  in  pine  land. 

Astrocaryum  mexicanum  has  failed  with  me  but  I  think  it 
might  succeed  here.  There  are  a  number  of  species,  A.  muru- 
muru,  A.  ayri,  A.  argenteum,  A.filiare,  etc.,  and  all  are  spiny. 

Attalea.  The  name  signifies  magnificent  and  it  is  well  applied. 
The  species  have  long,  beautiful  pinnate  leaves  with  numerous, 
elegant  pinnae.  A.  cohune,  the  Monaco  Palm  from  Central 
America,  has  nearly  erect  leaves  and  Mr.  O.  F.  Cook  informs  me 
that  he  has  measured  these  in  Guatemala  which  were  fifty-five 
feet  long.  A  fine  specimen  has  bloomed  and  fruited  in  the 
grounds  of  Commodore  Monroe  at  Cocoanut  Grove. 

Bactris.  Exceedingly  spiny  palms  that  have  entirely  failed 
with  me,  though  repeatedly  tried  under  various  conditions. 

B.  gasipaes  is  the  celebrated  Peach  Palm  of  the  Amazon  region. 
Balaka  seemani  is  a  slender  pinnate  palm  from  Fiji  which  would 

probably  succeed  in  the  shade. 

Calamus,    the    rattans.     Oriental,    tropical    palms,    many   of 


COCOS   PLUMOSA. 

This  graceful  palm  from  South  America  is  hardier  than  the  coconut,  and  can  be  grown  in 
subtropical  regions  where  frosts  are  not  severe.  When  mature,  it  closely  approaches  the  Royal 
Palm  in  beauty.  (Fig.  24) 


A    MAGNIFICENT    AVENUE    OF    ROYAL    PALMS. 

This  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  most  superb  avenues  in  the  world,  and  a  splendid  example 
of  the  effects  which  can  be  obtained  through  the  use  of  palms.  The  species  here  shown  is  not 
the  same  as  the  Royal  Palm  of  Cuba,  but  is  Oreodoxa  oleracea,  the  palmiste  of  the  French  West 
Indies,  where  it  is  native.  Botanic  Garden,  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil.  (Fig.  25) 


A   HANDSOME   ORIENTAL   PALM. 

Young  specimen  of  Chrysalidocarpus  lutescens,  often  called  Areca  lutescens,  at  The  Sentinels. 
When  mature,  this  graceful  palm,  with  its  slender  curving  trunk,  is  one  of  the  best  tropical 
decorative  plants.  (Fig.  26) 


THE   FAMOUS   TALIPOT   PALM. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent  of  Oriental  palms.  After  attaining  large  size  the  plant 
flowers,  and  dies  as  soon  as  the  seed  is  matured.  Up  to  the  present  time,  the  Talipot  has  not 
been  successful  in  Florida.  The  specimen  here  shown  is  growing  in  the  Botanic  Garden  at 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil.  (Fig.  27) 


IN  FLORIDA  119 

which  climb  to  great  distances.  Most  of  these  would  probably 
do  well  in  hammocks  in  the  lower  part  of  the  state.  C.  rotang 
and  C.  tennis  furnish  the  rattan  of  commerce. 

Caryota,  the  Fish  Tail  palms.  A  genus  of  striking  palms, 
most  of  which  sucker  freely.  Their  leaves  are  twice  pinnate  and 
the  leaflets  are  more  or  less  fan-shaped  and  irregularly  truncate. 
When  they  reach  maturity  they  send  out  immense  tassels  of 
flowers  at  the  top  of  the  tree,  continuing  to  produce  others  along 
down  the  stem  until  finally  the  plant  dies.  Around  Fort  Myers 
and  Punta  Gorda  these  palms  do  finely  but  here  they  do  not 
always  succeed.  C.  urens,  C.  blancoi,  C.  sobolifera,  C.  purpuracea 
and  C.  mitis  are  in  the  writer's  collection. 

Chamaedorea.  A  genus  of  slender  palms  some  of  which  grow 
in  clumps.  They  are  from  the  American  Tropics,  are  spineless 
and  often  reed-like.  C.  gmminifolia  is  a  strong  growing,  tufted 
species,  C.  multicaulis  soon  forms  a  large  cluster;  C.  arenber- 
giana  and  C.  corallina  are  growing  in  my  hammock  and  are  very 
slender  and  attractive.  They  should  be  grown  in  shade  and  will 
probably  stand  but  little  frost. 

Chrysalidocarpus  lutescens  is  one  of  the  most  exquisitely  grace- 
ful palms  in  cultivation.  It  forms  large  clumps,  the  stems  rising 
to  the  height  of  thirty  feet  in  time  and  crowned  with  elegant, 
glossy  rich  green  leaves,  tinted  yellow.  It  is  a  native  of  Mauri- 
tius and  is  rather  tender;  it  will  grow  equally  well  in  sunshine 
or  shade  and  it  should  be  cultivated  all  over  the  lower  part  of 
the  state.  It  has  been  generally  sold  as  Areca  lutescens. 

Cocos.  Besides  the  common  coconut  there  are  a  number  of 
fine  species,  most  of  which  do  well  in  Florida.  Several  of  these 
are  natives  of  southern  Brazil,  Paraguay  and  Argentina  and  are 
therefore  hardy  throughout  a  considerable  part  of  our  territory. 
Mr,  John  Schnabel  of  Gainesville  reports  that  C.  plumosa,  one 
of  the  hardiest  species,  does  well  at  his  place  when  grown  in  a 
sheltered  situation.  It  was  formerly  believed  that  the  common 
coconut  originally  came  from  the  old  world  but  there  is  good 
evidence  to  show  that  all  the  Cocos  are  natives  of  the  new  world 
only.  There  is  a  species  said  to  come  from  Cuba  which  is 
growing  in  my  grounds  that  looks  something  like  a  diminutive 
coconut.  C.  coronata,  C.  flexuosa,  and  C.  romanzoffiana  are  fine 


120  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

species  with  beautiful,  dark  green  foliage.  C.  australis,  C.  bonnetti, 
C.  campestris,  C.  yatay,  C.  alphonsei,  C.  gaertneri,  C.  eriospaiha 
and  one  or  two  others  have  more  or  less  glaucous  foliage.  All  of 
the  above  are  doing  fairly  well  for  me  in  pine  land.  Several  of 
the  species  of  the  Australis  group  have  edible  fruits.  C.  weddel- 
liana  and  C.  insignis  are  exceedingly  dainty  and  beautiful  but  I 
have  not  been  able  to  make  them  succeed,  probably  because  of 
lime  in  the  soil. 

Daemonorops  contains  about  forty  species  of  palms  which  are 
closely  related  to  Calamus.  I  have  tried  a  couple  of  species 
which  seem  to  be  very  tender  and  have  failed. 

Desmoncus  major  is  a  climbing  palm  from  Trinidad  which  is 
doing  finely  in  my  hammock.  It  is  very  spiny  and  holds  on 
vegetation  by  means  of  anchor-like  hooks  at  the  ends  of  the 
rachides.  It  is  a  most  interesting  plant. 

Dictyosperma  rubra  and  alba  are  among  our  finest  and  most 
successful  palms,  both  doing  equally  well  in  shade  or  sunshine, 
in  pine  or  hammock.  They  are  rather  rapid  growers  and  should 
be  cultivated  by  everybody  in  lower  Florida. 

Dypsis  madagascariensis.  I  have  plants  received  under  this 
name  that  I  am  doubtful  about.  My  plants  are  rapid  growers 
with  leaflets  in  fascicles;  they  are  cespitose  and  have  triangular 
stems. 

Elaeis  guineensis  is  the  celebrated  Oil  Palm  of  Tropical  Africa. 
It  does  well  for  me  in  ordinary  pine  land  and  has  borne  seed 
when  quite  small. 

Euterpe.  A  small  genus  of  slender  growing  palms  from  the 
American  Tropics.  I  have  had  several  species  which  for  some 
reason  have  not  succeeded  but  I  see  no  reason  why  they  will 
not  do  well  in  lower  Florida. 

Geonoma.  Very  elegant,  usually  slender  palms  from  Tropical 
America.  They  do  best  in  a  shaded,  moist  locality,  such  as  a 
low  hammock,  but  they  probably  will  not  stand  much  frost. 

Hedyscepe  canterburyana  is  cultivated  somewhat  in  the  north 
and  is  a  tall,  handsome,  spineless  palm.  It  is  a  native  of  Lord 
Howe's  Island  at  a  considerable  elevation  and  should  stand  some 
frost.  I  have  a  healthy  young  specimen  in  my  grounds. 

Howea  belmoreana  and  forsteriana  are  two  of  the  most  popular 


IN   FLORIDA  121 

palms  of  the  north.  I  have  never  succeeded  with  the  former  and 
have  only  partly  done  so  with  the  latter.  I  do  not  think  they  have 
done  well  generally  in  Florida. 

Hydriastele  wendlandiana  is  a  tall,  handsome,  rapid  growing 
palm  from  Queensland.  The  segments  of  the  leaflets  are  jagged 
at  their  outer  edges  something  like  those  of  a  fish  tail  palm. 
I  have  a  fine  young  specimen  in  partial  shade  in  the  edge  of  the 
hammock. 

Hyophorbe.  Three  species  of  slow  growing  palms  from  Mauri- 
tius, two  of  which,  H.  verschaffeltii  and  H.  amaricaulis  have 
been  considerably  cultivated  in  lower  Florida.  They  are  stocky 
in  growth,  with  bulging  stems  and  short,  highly  colored  leaves, 
the  former  tinted  yellowish,  the  latter  purple.  Both  are  doing 
well  with  me  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  they  will  prove  to  be 
among  our  finest  palm  ornaments. 

Jubaea.  A  genus  from  Chile  containing  one  or  two  of  the 
hardiest  palms  in  the  world.  They  are  slow  growers  when  young 
and  have  some  resemblance  to  the  date  palms. 

Kentia.  A  large  number  of  palms  have  been  referred  to  this 
genus  which  are  now  placed  elsewhere  and  I  am  not  sure  that  any 
of  the  true  Kentias  are  in  cultivation  in  the  state.  K.  belmoreana 
and  K.  forsteriana  are  now  placed  in  Howea. 

Martinezia  caryotaefolia  is  sometimes  cultivated  in  lower  Flor- 
ida but  I  have  rarely  seen  it  in  good  condition.  It  is  a  rather 
slender,  spiny  palm  with  broad,  closely  set,  truncate  and  ragged 
segments. 

Manicaria.  This  genus  contains  a  few  magnificent  species 
from  Tropical  America  which  are  really  pinnate  leaved  but  often 
the  pinnae  are  not  separated  and  the  leaves  are  more  or  less 
entire.  In  M.  sacchifera  the  leaves  are  not  divided  and  are  often 
thirty  feet  long  and  four  or  five  wide.  I  do  not  know  that  any 
of  these  have  been  cultivated  in  the  state  but  they  should  be 
tried. 

Maximiliana  contains  a  few  species  of  grand  tropical  American 
palms  which  should  be  tried  in  extreme  southern  Florida.  It  was 
of  M.  regia,  of  the  Orinoco,  that  Humboldt  said,  "On  this  palm 
nature  has  lavished  every  charm." 

Oenocarpus  is  a  small  group  of  South  American  palms,  one 


122  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

species  of  which  (0.  disticha)  has  the  leaves  arranged  in  two  ranks. 
None  of  them  has  been  tried  here  to  my  knowledge,  but  they 
should  be. 

Oreodoxa.  0.  borinquena  is  a  fine  species  from  Porto  Rico, 
not  so  lofty  as  the  common  royal  palm.  O.  oleracea  is  a  tall, 
noble  species  from  the  Antilles.  0.  regia,  the  common  royal 
palm,  is  grown  everywhere  in  lower  Florida. 

Phoenix,  the  date  palms.  This  is  probably  the  most  useful 
genus  of  palms  cultivated  in  Florida,  though  Inodes  and  Cocos 
are  close  competitors.  There  are  some  twenty  or  more  nominal 
species  in  cultivation  here,  and  all  of  them  do  finely  so  far  as  my 
experience  goes,  either  in  pine,  hammock  or  wet  land.  Several 
of  the  hardiest,  such  as  P.  dactylifera,  P.  canariensis,  P.  sylvestris 
and  P.  tennis  stand  the  winters  very  well  as  far  north  as  Goth  a  and 
probably  farther,  though  Mr.  C.  E.  Pleas  reports  that  they  are  a 
little  tender  at  Chipley.  P.  acaulis  does  not  form  a  stem,  the 
trunk  being  bulbiform;  P.  canariensis  is  the  most  stately  and 
magnificent  of  all  with  a  trunk  three  feet  or  more  in  diameter 
and  leaves  twelve  feet  long.  P.  cycadifolia  is  a  fine,  vigorous 
species;  P.  dactylifera  is  the  well-known  date  and  one  of  the  hardi- 
est. It  is  not  so  graceful  as  some  of  the  others  but  is  a  most 
striking  object;  P.  farinifera  is  a  handsome  species;  P.  humilis  is 
an  elegant  low  grower;  P.  leonensis  is  believed  to  be  a  strong 
growing  variety  of  P.  reclinata,  which  is  one  of  the  best  and  most 
popular  species;  P.  melanocarpa  has  edible  fruit;  P.  pumila  has 
a  slender  stem  and  long  recurved  leaves  and  P.  pusilla  is  a  low 
form.  P.  roebelini  is  the  gem  of  the  genus  as  it  has  exceedingly 
delicate,  rich  green  leaves.  I  have  a  specimen  six  feet  high 
planted  out  as  many  years.  It  is  the  most  distinct  of  the  lot. 
P.  sylvestris  is  the  wild  date  of  India;  P.  rupicola  is  a  beautiful 
species  and  P.  tennis  somewhat  resembles  it.  The  names  are 
much  confused  and  it  is  probable  that  a  number  of  so-called 
species  are  valueless, 

The  sexes  of  the  dates  are  separate  and  it  is  generally  believed 
that  they  are  dioecious.  However,  a  female  humilis  in  my  ground 
raised  fertile  seed  when  no  male  plant  of  any  species  was  large 
enough  to  bloom  anywhere  in  the  neighborhood.  Most  of  them 


IN   FLORIDA  123 

send  up  suckers  in  abundance  which  may  be  carefully  re- 
moved and  used  for  propagation.  Professor  H.  Nehrling  has  a 
most  excellent  article  on  the  date  palms  in  Florida  in  Bailey's 
"Encyclopedia of  Horticulture." 

Pinanga.  A  genus  of  usually  slender-stemmed  palms  some  of 
which  send  up  suckers  quite  freely.  They  are  from  the  Malayan 
region  and  are  therefore  tender.  Two  or  three  species  have  been 
cultivated  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  state  and  it  is  probable 
that  they  will  do  best  in  partial  shade. 

Ptychospermas  are  Oriental  palms  which  seem  to  be  but  little 
understood,  most  of  the  members  being  now  placed  in  other 
genera.  P.  macarthuri  is  a  beautiful,  tufted  species  of  which  I 
have  a  large  and  fine  example.  It  eventually  forms  large  clumps, 
and  is  a  native  of  New  Guinea.  There  is  another  specimen  in 
the  grounds  of  Mrs.  Marian  McAdow  at  Punta  Gorda. 

Raphia  ruffia  is  a  magnificent  palm  from  the  Mascarene 
Islands  and  Madagascar  which  produces  the  fiber  called  raffia.  It 
has  a  tall  caudex  and  the  immense  leaves  reach  a  length  of  fifty 
to  sixty  feet.  I  have  several  times  grown  this  palm  from  seed 
to  a  height  of  over  a  foot  and  it  has  died  but  I  see  no  reason  why 
it  should  not  succeed.  Another  majestic  palm  from  the  Amazon 
has  been  called  Raphia  taedigera  but  I  can  hardly  believe  that 
it  belongs  in  this  genus. 

Rhopalostylus  baueri  and  R.  sapida,  the  only  species  of  the  ge- 
nus, are  hardy  palms  from  Norfolk  Island  and  New  Zealand, 
formerly  placed  in  Areca.  I  have  had  small  plants  of  both  but 
have  not  had  sufficient  experience  with  them  to  say  what  they 
will  do. 

Roscheria  melanochaetes  is  a  slender,  spiny  palm  from  the  Sey- 
chelles, with  leaves  from  three  to  five  feet  long  and  two  to  three 
feet  wide  that  are  entire  when  young  but  more  or  less  pinnate 
when  old.  It  should  be  grown  in  the  shade  and  probably  is 
tender.  This  and  the  two  following  have  entirely  failed  for  me 
after  repeated  trials  in  the  open  ground. 

Stevensonia  grandifolia  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  palms 
having  very  large,  bifid,  reddish  green  leaves;  the  whole  plant 
is  beset  with  spines.  It  is  possible  that  it  may  be  grown  in  a 


124  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

moist,  sheltered  place  free  from  frost.  I  have  it  doing  well  in 
a  pot. 

Verschaffeltia  splendida  is  a  beautiful  spiny,  lofty-growing 
palm  from  the  Seychelles,  with  large  bifid  leaves.  The  Sey- 
chelles Islands  have  a  tropical  climate,  the  lowest  range  of  the 
thermometer  being  70°;  there  is  a  very  heavy  rainfall  and  the 
soil  is  granitic, — conditions  very  different  from  those  of  Florida. 

Wallachia.  A  genus  containing  two  or  three  species  from 
India  which  promise  to  do  well  in  the  warmer  part  of  the  state. 
I  have  a  young  W.  caryotoides  which  is  doing  finely  in  partial 
shade  in  the  edge  of  hammock.  The  leaves  closely  resemble 
those  of  Caryota. 

FAN- LEAVED  PALMS. 

Borassus  flabelliformis  is  a  grand  tropical  palm  from  southern 
Asia,  and  the  East  Indian  Archipelago.  The  Palmyra,  as  it  is 
called,  is  dioecious,  has  enormous,  fan-shaped  leaves  and  bears 
bunches  of  flowers  and  fruit  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  I  do 
not  know  that  it  has  been  cultivated  in  Florida  but  it  should  be 
tried  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  state. 

Chamaerops  humilis  from  southern  Europe  and  northern 
Africa  is  a  beautiful,  very  hardy  palm.  The  leaves  are  divided 
into  a  great  number  of  segments  and  their  under  surfaces  are 
somewhat  silvery.  The  compact  heads  of  yellow  flowers  are 
quite  attractive;  the  tree  is  vigorous  and  healthy  here,  and  it 
ought  to  be  generally  cultivated.  It  is  quite  variable  and  the 
variations  have  received  specific  names.  There  is  a  larger  form, 
possibly  a  species,  which  grows  in  northern  Africa,  called  C. 
macrocarpa,  which  is  also  fine.  They  will  grow  on  pine  land  and 
in  exposed  situations. 

Copernicia.  C.  cerifera  is  the  Wax  Palm  of  Brazil,  the  young 
leaves  being  covered  with  wax.  It  is  a  handsome  palm  and 
should  be  tried  in  Florida.  There  are  several  fine  species  in  Cuba. 

Corypha.  A  genus  of  noble  palms  with  immense  leaves  from 
southeastern  Asia  which  contains  the  famous  Talipot  Palm 
(C.  umbraculifera) .  The  leaves  are  said  to  be  sometimes  twenty 
feet  across  and  the  enormous  panicles  of  white  flowers  may  reach 
an  equal  length.  The  trees  of  this  genus  are  slow  growing  when 


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IN  FLORIDA  125 

young  and  when  they  blossom  they  die.  I  have  tried  C.  um- 
braculifera,  C.  megapoda,  C.  gebanga  and  C.  elata  and  all  have 
failed.  I  understand  that  they  have  not  succeeded  in  Florida. 

Erythea.  A  group  of  palms  from  Lower  California  and  Mex- 
ico, containing  three  species, — I  have  had  no  success  whatever 
with  any  of  them. 

Hyphaene.  Tropical  palms  from  Equatorial  Africa  with  very 
firm  leaves,  the  rachides  armed  with  strong  spines.  The  trunks 
branch  in  old  trees  and  the  nut  is  covered  with  an  edible  pulp, 
hence  the  name  Gingerbread  Palm.  I  have  a  very  fine  specimen 
of  H.  schatan  in  my  grounds  but  up  to  date  it  has  not  produced 
anything  in  the  cookery  line. 

I  nodes.  The  species  included  in  this  group  have  generally 
been  called  Sabal.  In  Inodes  the  midrib  of  the  leaf  is  bent  back- 
wards while  in  Sabal  the  leaf  is  flat.  This  is  a  group  of  American 
palms  designated  as  the  palmettos,  rather  slow  growing  when 
young  but  quite  vigorous  at  maturity.  They  all  succeed  ad- 
mirably in  Florida  and  are  among  our  finest  garden  ornaments. 
The  genus  is  represented  in  Florida  by  I.  palmetto  the  common 
cabbage  tree,  and  a  dwarf  species  with  an  S-shaped  stem  which 
is  all  buried  in  the  ground;  the  latter,  /.  megacarpa,  living  on 
the  shores  of  Biscay ne  Bay  and  for  some  distance  northward. 
/.  caemlescens,  I.  mauritiaeformis,  I.  ghiesbreghti,  I.  umbraculifera 
and  7.  princeps  are  beautiful.  When  on  pine  land  it  is  a  great 
help  to  give  them  liberal  dressings  of  muck.  Most  of  the  species 
will  probably  prove  hardy  half  way  up  the  peninsula. 

Latania.  A  magnificent  group  of  palms  from  Mauritius  and 
neighboring  islands.  Their  leaves  are  among  the  most  majestic 
of  any  of  the  family,  either  in  a  young  state  or  when  mature, 
all  being  more  or  less  highly  colored.  They  are  tender  but  maybe 
grown  in  places  exposed  to  the  sea,  even  where 'they  are  some- 
times submerged.  Specimens  of  L.  loddigesi  and  L.  commersoni 
at  Cape  Florida  were  completely  covered  with  water  for  several 
hours  some  years  ago  during  a  hurricane  but  were  uninjured. 
The  so-called  Latania  borbonica  is  a  Livistona. 

Licuala  peltata,  elegans,  rum'phi,  grandis  and  horrida  have  all 
been  in  my  collection  but  without  exception  have  totally  failed, 
and  other  growers  in  the  state  report  a  similar  experience.  They 


126  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

are  beautiful  palms,  generally  of  dwarf  size,  which  grow  in  the  hot, 
steamy  forests  of  the  Oriental  Tropics. 

Livistona  is  a  fine  genus  of  palms  from  the  same  general  region 
as  Licuala,  but  I  have  had  much  better  success  with  it.  L. 
chinensis,  commonly  called  Latania  borbonica,  is  a  beautiful, 
slow  growing  species,  quite  hardy.  L.  altissima,  L.  hoogendorpi, 
L.  subglobosa,  L.  jenkinsiana,  L.  olivaeformis  and  L.  mariae  have 
all  done  well  with  me.  L.  rotundifolia  is  a  charming  species. 
All  except  the  first  are  probably  tender. 

Lodoicea  seychellarum  is  the  celebrated  Coco  de  Mer,  or 
Double  Coconut,  from  the  Seychelles.  It  is  a  wonderful  tree 
with  a  trunk  a  foot  in  diameter  and  a  hundred  feet  high;  the  fan- 
shaped  leaves  are  twelve  feet  long  and  twenty  wide.  It  does 
not  bear  fruit  until  it  is  thirty  years  old;  the  nuts  weigh  forty 
pounds  each  and  require  ten  years  to  ripen.  The  base  of  the 
tree  is  rounded  and  fits  into  a  natural  bowl  which  is  filled  with 
holes  through  which  the  roots  pass.  This  bowl  is  a  part  of  the 
tree  but  is  not  attached  to  it  and  it  has  been  found  in  a  good  state 
of  preservation  sixty  years  after  the  tree  has  died.  The  nuts 
require  a  long  time  to  germinate  but  they  have  been  sprouted 
and  are  growing  at  Washington.  They  should  be  tried  in  lower 
Florida. 

Mauritia.  A  genus  of  half  a  dozen  species  of  lofty  palms  from 
the  lower  West  Indies  and  South  America.  I  do  not  think  that 
they  have  been  cultivated  to  any  extent  in  Florida  but  they 
should  be  tried. 

Pritchardia.  The  species  of  this  genus  vie  with  those  of  Latania 
in  beauty  and  majesty  but,  unfortunately,  they  are  all  very  tender 
and  can  only  be  grown  successfully  in  practically  frostless  sit- 
uations. I  have  had  P.  marti,  P.  pacified,  P.  thurstoni  and  one 
or  two  others  and  all  of  them  have  been  injured  repeatedly. 

Rhapis  flabelliformis  and  humilis  are  elegant,  tufted,  reed-like 
palms  from  China  and  Japan,  both  quite  hardy  but  slow  of 
growth.  Both  are  doing  finely  for  me  in  shade  in  the  edge  of  the 
hammock;  the  latter  is  making  the  better  growth.  Most  elegant 
effects  might  be  produced  by  planting  these  in  masses,  especially 
along  the  banks  of  pools  or  lakes. 

Thrinax  is  a  genus  of  very  beautiful  and  useful  palms  for  the 


IN   FLORIDA  127 

warmer  parts  of  the  state.  Besides  the  native  species  which 
I  have  discussed  elsewhere  there  are  a  number  of  others 
eminently  adapted  for  growing  in  clumps,  or  for  borders  of  large 
palm  groups.  I  have  in  perfect  condition  T.  argentea,  a  fine 
Cuban  species,  T.  barbadensis,  T.  morrisi,  T.  parviflora,  T. 
radiata  and  T.  pumilio.  T.  altissima  is  one  of  the  finest 
palms  I  have.  The  large,  orbicular  leaves  are  cut  into 
many  segments,  are  rich,  shining  green  above  and  silvery  be- 
neath and  are  indescribably  beautiful.  Unfortunately  it  was 
planted  in  a  somewhat  exposed  position  and  its  splendid  foliage 
is  injured  by  high  winds.  I  know  of  no  more  satisfactory  group 
of  palms  for  regions  exempt  from  frost  as  they  are  at  home  in 
almost  any  kind  of  soil. 

Thrincoma  alta  from  Porto  Rico  is  a  fine  Thrinax-like  palm 
which  is  growing  nicely  for  me  in  pine  land. 

Trachycarpus.  A  genus  of  a  few  species  from  Asia,  one  of 
which,  T.  excelsus,  should  be  hardy  over  the  entire  state.  It  has 
never  succeeded  with  me  and  Nehrling  has  had  the  same  expe- 
rience with  it  in  Gotha,  but  Mr.  C.  E.  Pleas  states  that  it  does 
finely  at  Chipley. 

Washingtonia.  It  is  probable  that  this  name  which  was  once 
applied  to  the  great  redwood  trees  of  California  should  not  be 
used  for  this  group  of  palms  but  the  longer  one  Neowashingtonia. 
W.  robusta  is  grown  in  this  vicinity  to  a  considerable  extent  for 
shading  streets  and  roads  and  for  ornament  in  grounds.  It  is 
a  strong,  rapid  grower,  with  dark,  glossy  leaves  whose  petioles 
are  armed  with  heavy,  curved  spines  and  it  is  altogether  a  very 
ornamental  and  satisfactory  tree.  W.  filifera  is  a  slower  grower 
with  somewhat  glaucous,  and  larger  leaves.  I  have  under  the 
name  of  W.  sonorae  a  young  palm  which  is  more  delicate  in  all 
its  parts  than  the  other  two.  Nehrling  reports  that  all  the  Wash- 
ing to  nias  fail  at  Gotha. 

A  surprisingly  large  number  of  the  palms  are  succeeding  with 
me  and  as  I  make  no  claim  whatever  to  skill  as  a  cultivator,  and 
as,  for  want  of  time,  my  plants  are  much  neglected,  I  cannot'but 
believe  that  these  glorious  productions  of  nature  are  very  much 
at  home  in  Florida.  Uncle  Nat  Berry  remarks  in  the  well- 
known  play  Shore  Acres  that  "You  can't  have  too  many  babies" 


128  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

and  it  may  be  said  here  that  you  can't  have  too  many  palms. 
They  are  soTmagnificent,  so  characteristic  of  the  tropics,  so  strange 
and  striking  to  northern  eyes  that  it  seems  to  me  it  is  hard  to 
overdo  in  planting  them.  Put  them  out  singly,  in  groups,  mix 
them  with  other  vegetation,  and  in  a  few  years  they  will  grow 
into  objects  of  wonderful  beauty  and  stateliness,  a  perennial 
comfort  to  the  heart,  a  joy  to  the  eye,  something  to  show  with 
swelling  pride  to  friends  and  visitors. 

ORNAMENTAL  EXOTIC  TREES. 

There  is  such  a  wealth  of  attractive  material  among  exotic 
trees  that  are  adapted  to  the  soil  and  climate  of  Florida  that  it 
is  hard  to  know  what  to  choose  and  what  to  reject.  I  have  over 
one  hundred  species  of  ornamental  tropical  trees  in  my  grounds 
without  including  palms  and  I  have  only  a  mere  fraction  of  what 
may  be  grown. 

Acacia.  A  large  genus  of  trees  and  shrubs  mostly  from  Aus- 
tralia, having  compound  leaves  (sometimes  phyllodia)  and  cylin- 
drical or  globular  heads  of  flowers.  I  have  tried  a  dozen  or  more 
species  under  various  conditions  and  have  met  with  almost  total 
failure.  A.  neriifolia  does  fairly  well. 

Adansonia  digitata,  Baobab  Tree  of  Tropical  Africa,  reaches 
enormous  dimensions,  the  trunks  sometimes  attaining  a  diameter 
of  thirty  feet,  though  the  height  of  the  tree  rarely  equals  eighty. 
The  wood  is  remarkably  soft;  the  leaves  of  young  trees  are  simple 
but  those  of  larger  ones  are  trifoliate,  and  at  a  later  stage  of 
growth  digitate.  The  flowers  are  large  and  handsome;  the  fruit 
is  the  size  of  a  small  melon,  and  is  edible.  I  have  a  small  tree 
which  grows  very  slowly;  another  in  Miami  has  bloomed. 

Adenanthera  pavonina,  Circassian  Bean,  is  an  attractive  tree 
with  compound  leaves  and  spikes  of  brownish  flowers.  These 
are  followed  by  spiral  pods  containing  brilliant  scarlet,  lenticular 
beans  which  are  used  in  its  native  country,  India,  for  food  and 
for  forming  elegant  necklaces.  It  is  a  rapid  grower  and  is 
somewhat  hardy. 

Ailanthus  glandulosa,  Tree  of  Heaven,  is  a  very  rapid  grower 
from  China,  having  immense  pinnate  leaves  which  have  a  decid- 


IN  FLORIDA  129 

edly  tropical  appearance.  It  should  succeed  in  the  upper  parts 
of  the  state  but  it  sprouts  badly. 

Albizzia  lebbek  is  a  vigorous,  rapid  growing  tree  which  I  have 
mentioned  in  the  chapter  on  trees  for  roads.  When  young  it  is 
somewhat  tender  but  with  age  will  be  hardy  in  lower  Florida. 
klt  is  a  fine  ornamental  and  grows  to  a  great  size  in  pine  land. 
A.  julibrissin  is  much  hardier,  being  cultivated  as  far  north  as 
Washington.  It  is  a  handsome  tree,  and  does  well  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  state.  Mr.  C.  E.  Pleas  informs  me  that  it  is  natural- 
ized around  Chipley. 

Aleurites  triloba,  or  Candle-nut  of  the  Moluccas,  is  a  rapid 
growing  tree  with  large,  trilobed  leaves  which  bears  clusters  of 
small  white  flowers,  the  leaves  surrounding  the  flower  heads  being 
silvery.  It  bears  a  soft,  two-celled  fruit,  each  cell  containing  a 
nut  somewhat  resembling  a  walnut.  The  entire  kernel  is  rich  in 
oil  and  has  a  flavor  equal  to  that  of  English  walnuts.  The  tree 
is  quite  ornamental  at  all  stages  and  grows  well  and  bears  fruit 
in  lower  Florida.  It  should  be  planted  in  a  protected  place  as 
it  breaks  badly  in  high  winds.  A.  cordata  from  South  China  is 
a  handsome  tree  and  is  doing  finely  in  the  grounds  of  Professor 
Nehrling  at  Gotha.  One  or  two  other  species  have  been  culti- 
vated in  Florida. 

Amherstia  nobilis  from  India  is  considered  by  many  the  most 
magnificent  flowering  tree  in  the  world.  It  has  compound  leaves 
and  immense  candelabrum-like  sprays  of  brilliant  red  and  yellow 
flowers  drooping  from  every  branch.  Macmillan  says  that  in 
Ceylon  it  does  not  seem  to  flourish  near  the  sea.  It  should  be 
tried  in  the  warmer  parts  of  Florida  and  if  it  could  be  made  to 
succeed  it  would  be  a  splendid  acquisition. 

Araucaria  is  a  genus  of  noble  conifers  from  the  warmer  parts 
of  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  several  of  which  do  well  in  Florida. 
A.  excelsa,  Norfolk  Island  Pine,  largely  cultivated  in  the  north 
as  a  pot  plant,  makes  a  lofty  tree  in  the  more  tropical  part  of  the 
state,  and  is  very  handsome  and  striking.  A.  bidwilli,  Bunya- 
bunya  Pine  of  Australia,  is  a  noble  tree  much  hardier  than 
excelsa,  flourishing  as  far  north  as  Tampa.  It  is  doing  splendidly 
with  me  and  promises  soon  to  become  a  large  tree.  A.  brazilien- 
sis,  if  one  can  believe  the  pictures  of  it,  must  be  one  of  the  most 


130  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

striking  trees  in  the  vegetable  kingdom.  I  have  not  succeeded 
with  it  so  far.  A.  imbricata,  Monkey  Puzzle  from  Chile,  has 
totally  failed  here  but  it  may  do  something  in  clayey  soil  in 
northern  Florida.  Mr.  Frank  MacLaren  of  Fernandina  informs 
me  that  A .  bidwiUi  succeeds  there  with  some  protection. 

Barringtonia  is  a  genus  of  beautiful  flowered  trees  from  the 
East  Indian  region,  none  of  which,  so  far  as  I  know,  have  been 
tried  in  Florida.  The  species  should  be  planted  in  moist  places 
near  the  sea. 

Bauhinia.  A  large  genus  of  trees,  shrubs  and  vines  from  the 
Old  and  New  World  Tropics,  all  of  which,  so  far  as  I  have  seen 
tried,  do  well  in  South  Florida.  The  queen  of  them  all  is  B. 
purpurea  of  which  a  specimen  in  Fort  Myers  has  reached  a 
height  of  nearly  forty  feet  with  a  trunk  diameter  of  two  feet. 
Its  gorgeous  variegated  purple  flowers  that  open  in  late  winter 
are  like  those  of  some  superb  orchid.  B.  alba  has  white  flowers, 
blooming  at  intervals  through  the  year;  B.  furfuracea  is  a  thorny 
tree  with  white  nocturnal  blossoms;  B.  krugii  has  pink  and  yellow 
flowers;  B.  triandria  seems  to  be  represented  here  by  two  varie- 
ties, one  with  pale  purplish  flowers,  the  other  having  them  pink 
and  white  striped.  B.  tomentosa  has  yellow  flowers.  Most  of 
these  will  stand  some  frost  and  if  mounded  up  in  winter  would 
go  through  a  hard  freeze  with  a  loss  of  only  the  tops.  They 
should  be  planted  in  all  gardens. 

Bischofia  javanica,  from  Java,  has  fine  large,  trifoliate  leaves 
and  is  quite  ornamental.  It  is  much  hardier  than  would  be 
supposed,  coming  from  the  heart  of  the  tropics. 

Bixa  orellana,  Arnotto,  a  tree  from  the  West  Indies,  whose 
seeds  are  covered  with  a  reddish  paste,  annatto,  which  is  not 
only  used  to  color  butter  and  cheese  but  to  decorate  the  faces 
and  bodies  of  tropical  Indians.  It  does  well  in  lower  Florida. 

Bombax  ceiba,  one  of  the  silk  cotton  trees,  rejoices  in  a  variety 
of  scientific  names  but  that  does  not  prevent  it  from  being  an 
interesting  and  attractive  tree.  It  is  a  rapid  grower,  and  in  its 
native  place,  the  American  Tropics,  it  reaches  enormous  dimen- 
sions. It  casts  its  digitate  leaves  in  winter  and  in  early  spring 
bears  great  waxy  red  flowers.  If  it  is  planted  in  pine  land  it 
would  be  well  to  give  it  plenty  of  muck. 


FICUS   NYMPHAEFOLIA   AT   THE   SENTINELS. 


A  beautiful  young  specimen  of  this  broad-leaved  Oriental  species.     The  leaves  are  verv 
large,  glossy,  and  of  a  rich  green  color.     (Fig.  32) 


THE   SILK-COTTON   TREE. 

An  immense  deciduous  tree,  Bombax  ceiba,  of  the  West  Indies.     In  winter  it  is  covered  with 
waxy  red  flowers.     The  thick,  buttressed  trunk  is  very  striking.     (Fig.  34) 


IN   FLORIDA  131 

Brachychiton  acerifolium  bears  waxy,  bright  crimson  flowers 
but  I  have  never  succeeded  in  making  it  grow  here  and  it  prob- 
ably prefers  a  clayey  soil  or  one  free  from  lime.  It  should  be 
hardy  over  the  lower  half  of  the  state. 

Brownea  is  a  group  of  magnificent  ornamental  trees  from  the 
American  Tropics.  The  elegant  pinnate  leaves  droop  and  are 
highly  colored  when  young;  the  flowers  in  long  racemes  are  pink 
or  red.  B.  ariza  is  doing  finely  in  my  grounds. 

Butea  frondosa  is  a  native  of  India  and  is  closely  related  to 
Erythrina.  It  should  be  grown  in  dry,  good  soil  in  a  protected 
place.  There  is  a  fine  young  tree  in  my  hammock. 

Callitris  robusta  is  a  rapid  growing  conifer,  somewhat  resem- 
bling a  red  cedar.  Personally  I  do  not  like  most  of  the  conifers 
for  Florida  because  they  seem  out  of  place  in  a  subtropical  coun- 
try, but  this  tree  is  hardy  and  vigorous  and  makes  fine  wind 
breaks. 

Calodendron  capense  is  a  handsome  tree  from  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  having  fine,  large  leaves  and  attractive  flowers,  in  fact  it 
is  considered  the  finest  tree  in  South  Africa.  It  has  been  offered 
for  sale  here  and  should  be  somewhat  hardy. 

Calophyllum  inophyllum  is  a  native  of  the  Oriental  Tropics 
where  it  is  much  used  for  a  shade  tree.  The  generic  name  signi- 
fies beautiful  leaf,  and  it  is  well  applied;  the  flowers  are  said  to 
be  handsome.  C.  calaba  has  handsome  leaves  and  is  a  native  of 
the  West  Indies.  Some  years  ago  I  planted  a  seed  of  this  which 
was  washed  up  on  our  shores  and  the  tree  is  now  twenty  feet 
high,  but  the  flowers  are  inconspicuous. 

Cananga  odorata  yields  the  celebrated  Ylang  Ylang  perfume  of 
the  East  Indies.  The  tree  is .  handsome  and  bears  greenish 
yellow  flowers.  It  is  fruiting  at  the  Royal  Palm  Hotel  in  Miami. 

Canarium  commune  is  an  Indian  tree  of  great  beauty,  much 
used  for  street  planting.  The  wide,  thin,  flat  root-buttresses 
are  used  for  tables,  cart  wheels,  etc.,  and  the  nut  has  an  edible 
kernel.  I  do  not  know  that  it  has  been  tried  in  lower  Florida 
but  it  should  be. 

Cassia  fistula.     A  tree  with  large  pinnate  leaves  and   long, 
pendent  racemes  of   pale   yellow,  handsome  flowers.     Tropical 
America.     Does  well  here. 
10 


132  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

Casuarina  eguisetifolia  has  been,  discussed  in  the  chapter  on 
road  trees. 

Catalpa  speciosa  has  been  offered  for  sale  in  Florida  and  I  have 
seen  what  I  suppose  is  this  in  Fort  Myers,  though  it  was  not 
very  vigorous.  It  ought  to  do  well  farther  north  in  the  state. 

Cedrela  odorata.  The  wood  has  the  color  and  smell  of  cedar 
but  the  tree  is  a  very  different  thing.  Cigar  boxes  are  made  from 
its  wood  and  it  is  used  in  manufacturing  furniture.  It  does  well 
here  in  rich,  moist  land  and  succeeds  moderately  in  pine  land. 
C.  toona  is  a  nearly  related  species  from  India. 

Cedrus  libani,  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  C.  atlantica  and  C.  deodara 
are  majestic  conifers  that  might  do  well  in  fairly  good  soil  in  the 
hilly  region  of  the  northern  part  of  the  state  where  they  could 
have  good  drainage.  They  are  quite  hardy. 

Ceratonia  siligua,  Carob  Tree  or  St.  John's  Bread  of  southern 
Europe,  has  thick,  shining,  pinnate  leaves  and  bears  pods  with 
edible  pulp;  will  probably  do  well  generally  in  Florida.  It  suc- 
ceeds at  Miami. 

Cinnamomum.  C.  cassia  is  the  Bastard  Cinnamon  and  C. 
camphora  is  the  Camphor  tree.  Both  are  fine  trees,  the  latter 
being  hardy  throughout  the  state ;  the  former  is  much  more  tender. 
C.  zeylanicum  (the  true  cinnamon)  has  entirely  failed  with  me 
after  repeated  trials.  There  is  a  C.  cassia  in  Fort  Myers  that 
must  be  forty- five  feet  high,  a  fine  tree. 

Clusia,  Matapalo  or  Scotch  Attorney.  A  genus  of  trees  from 
the  American  Tropics  whose  members  are  usually  parasitic  on 
other  trees.  C.  rosea  has  handsome,  very  thick,  obovate  leaves 
and  large  rose  colored  flowers.  It  will  grow  in  soil  or  on  trees. 

Couroupita  guianensis,  Cannon  Ball  Tree,  receiving  its  common 
name  because  its  large  fruit  is  shaped  like  a  cannon  ball.  A  fine 
specimen  of  this  tree  is  in  cultivation  at  Fort  Myers  and  bears 
flowers  and  fruit. 

Crescentia  cujete  is  the  Calabash  Tree  of  the  West  Indies.  It 
is  a  straggling  tree,  bearing  curious,  purplish  blossoms  along 
the  trunk  which  are  followed  by  very  large  globular  fruits,  the 
hard  shells  of  which  are  used  for  a  variety  of  domestic  purposes. 
It  succeeds  fairly  well  in  lower  Florida  but  is  very  tender. 


IN   FLORIDA  133 

Cryptomeria  japonica  is  a  noble  conifer  which  would  be  hardy 
throughout  the  state.  Its  branches  are  brittle  and  it  should  be 
grown  in  a  sheltered  place. 

Cunninghamia  sinensis  is  another  fine  hardy  conifer  which 
should  have  a  light,  well-drained  soil.  It  will  probably  do  well 
in  the  north  part  of  Florida, 

Cupressus.  Several  species  are  grown  in  the  state,  among 
them  being  C.funebris,  C.  knightiana,  C.  la-wsoniana,  C.  torulosa 
and  others,  all  of  which  make  good  wind  breaks.  They  succeed 
in  any  soil  that  is  not  too  wet.  All  are  hardy. 

Cyathea,  Alsophila,  Dicksonia,  Cibotium  and  Hematilia  are 
fine  tree-ferns,  some  of  which  may  succeed  but  as  a  general  thing 
most  of  them  probably  will  not  do  well  here.  In  a  yard  at  Fort 
Myers  I  saw  a  fine  specimen  of  a  tree-fern  about  five  feet  high  in 
partial  shade,  but  I  could  not  make  out  what  it  was. 

Cycas  revoluta  and  C.  circinalis  are  fine  decorative  small  trees, 
the  former  being  hardy  throughout  the  state;  the  latter  is  tender. 
The  former  grows  slowly;  the  latter  much  more  rapidly,  is  taller 
and  has  longer  leaves.  They  are  propagated  from  suckers  which 
spring  up  around  the  trunk.  These  should  be  taken  off  care- 
fully, completely  defoliated  and  rooted  in  a  moist,  shaded  place. 
These  plants  are  often  stricken  with  a  destructive  blight  for  which 
I  know  no  remedy. 

Dammara  australis  is  a  fine  conifer  from  New  Zealand  and 
would  be  hardy  anywhere  in  Florida. 

Delonix  regia,  Royal  Poinciana,  a  native  of  Madagascar,  is 
one  of  the  most  glorious  trees  in  the  world,  and  is  now  cultivated 
everywhere  in  the  tropics.  It  can  only  be  grown  here  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  state,  in  a  general  way  south  of  Latitude  27°.  Here 
it  casts  its  beautiful  bipinnate  foliage  in  winter,  the  new  leaves 
appearing  in  April  or  May  and  at  the  same  time  the  tree  is  cov- 
ered with  immense  clusters  of  large  red  flowers,  variegated  with 
white,  yellow  and  purple.  Trees  in  the  neighborhood  of  Miami 
attain  a  height  of  forty  feet  and  often  twice  that  size  of  crown, 
and  when  almost  solidly  covered  with  bloom  they  look  from  a 
distance  like  a  great  burst  of  flame.  I  have  seen  clusters  of 
flowers  fully  as  large  as  a  bushel  basket.  I  said  when  I  first  saw 
one  of  these  trees  in  bloom  that  I  was  willing  to  endure  the  tor- 


134  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

ment  of  mosquitoes,  sand  burs,  land  crabs  and  all  the  pests  and 
vermin  of  Florida  in  order  that  I  might  live  in  a  land  where  the 
royal  poinciana  flaunted  its  splendid  blossoms  to  the  sky. 

Dillenia.  A  genus  of  beautiful  Oriental  tropical  trees  having 
large  leaves  and  handsome  flowers.  D.  indica  is  sparingly  culti- 
vated in  lower  Florida  but  is  greatly  subject  to  root  knot,  and 
I  have  never  succeeded  with  it  on  that  account. 

Eriodendron,  Silk  Cotton  Tree.  A  genus  of  very  large,  rapid 
growing  trees  from  the  tropics  of  the  Old  and  New  Worlds.  E. 
anfractuosum  becomes  an  enormous  tree  in  the  West  Indies;  its 
trunk  is  usually  smooth  and  bulging,  and  in  a  young  state  it  is 
variegated  with  light  and  dark  green.  It  is  perfectly  at  home  in 
lower  Florida  in  pine  or  hammock  land. 

Erythrina,  Coral  Tree.  A  genus  with  thorny  stems  and  tri- 
foliate leaves,  bearing  brilliant  red  flowers  in  long  racemes.  In 
certain  districts  a  borer  greatly  injures  the  branches  and  in  some 
cases  destroys  the  flowers.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  similarity 
among  many  of  the  species  but  E.  crista-galli  is  quite  distinct. 
In  the  north  this  is  almost  herbaceous,  being  bedded  out  in 
summer  and  dug  up  and  wintered  in  a  cellar.  At  Fort  Myers  I 
saw  a  fine  tree  of  this  fifteen  feet  high.  It  would  be  hardy 
throughout  the  state;  the  rest  are  tender. 

Eucalyptus.  A  large  genus  of  trees  which  has  its  metropolis 
in  Australia.  Quite  a  number  are  cultivated  in  South  Florida 
and  in  some  cases  specimens  are  already  reaching  considerable 
size.  In  many  instances  the  trees  have  proper  leaves;  in  others 
they  have  only  phyllodia,  which  are  leaf-like  expansions  that  are 
alike  on  both  sides  and  hang  vertically.  Most  of  the  trees  are 
brittle  and  break  badly  in  high  wind. 

Euphorbia.  Some  of  the  species  are  weeds,  others  are  shrubs 
and  still  others  are  trees.  E.  havanensis  has  triangular  branches 
which  are  variegated  and  furnished  with  spines,  and  it  is  much 
used  in  Cuba  for  hedges.  E.  tiriculli  has  round  stems  and  very 
rudimentary  leaves,  a  most  curious  tree.  E.  sanguined  has  a 
dense  crown  of  deep,  metallic  purple  foliage.  These  species  are 
tender. 

Ficus.  An  immense  genus  of  trees,  shrubs  and  vines  from  the 
warmer  parts  of  the  earth,  which  furnishes  many  ornaments  for 


IN   FLORIDA  135 

the  garden.  F.  religiosa,  which  looks  like  a  glorified  cottonwood, 
is  the  sacred  Ti  or  Bo  or  Pipal  Tree  of  the  Hindus;  a  rapid  grower 
and  quite  ornamental.  F.  elastica  is  the  original  India  Rubber 
Tree,  much  cultivated  in  rooms  and  plant  houses  in  the  north; 
here  it  becomes  an  immense,  wide-spreading  tree.  F.  altissima 
is  a  handsome  tree  with  large,  glossy  leaves;  F.  panduratd  has 
very  large  fiddle-shaped  foliage  and  has  not  long  been  introduced 
into  Florida.  F.  bengalensis  is  the  famous  Banyan  Tree  which 
drops  numbers  of  air  roots  that  establish  themselves  in  the  ground 
until  the  tree  covers  a  large  area.  F.  rubiginosa,  F.  macrophylla, 

F.  cunninghami,  F.  infectoria  and  several  others  are  cultivated 
in  our  area.     F.  parcelli  has   finely  variegated  leaves,   green, 
splashed  white;   F.  nymphaefolia  has  cordate,   pointed,  glossy 
leaves  a  foot  in  length.     All  the  above  are  growing  in  my  grounds 
and  are,  no  doubt,  tender.     A  number  of  species  drop  air  roots 
which  fasten  into  the  ground  and  produce  banyan  trees  on  a 
small  scale. 

Gardnia  morella,  Gamboge  tree.  I  have  a  fine  young  specimen 
of  this  and  it  promises  to  be  a  most  beautiful  ornament  in  a  short 
time  as  it  is  a  rapid  grower.  The  leaves  are  large,  long  and  glossy, 
of  very  thick  texture  and  brown  red  when  young.  As  it  is  a 
native  of  Malaya  and  Ceylon  it  is,  no  doubt,  quite  tender. 

Gremllea  robusta  is  widely  grown  throughout  southern  Florida, 
doing  pretty  well  over  most  of  the  peninsula.  It  is  extensively 
used  at  the  north  as  a  pot  plant  for  its  ornamental,  fern-like 
foliage,  but  here  it  becomes  a  large  tree  and  bears  clusters  of 
curious  and  handsome  flowers  arranged  on  one  side  of  the  rachis. 

G.  banksii  is  in  my  grounds  and  is  a  most  attractive  tree.     Its 
handsome  leaves  are  deeply  pinnatifid  and  for  a  long  time  in 
summer  and  fall  it  bears  compact  heads  of  brilliant  red,  peculiar 
flowers.     I  have  a  variety  with  creamy  white  blossoms.     All  are 
of  the  easiest  culture  in  pine  or  hammock  land  if  moderately 
fertilized.     The  last  two  are  probably  somewhat  hardy. 

Guaiacum  officinale,  Lignum-vitae.  A  slow  growing  West  In- 
dian tree  with  curious  compound,  shining  leaves  which  bears 
attractive  blue  flowers.  It  should  have  plenty  of  fertilizer  and 
a  rather  dry  soil. 

Haematoxylon  campeachianum,  Logwood.     A  small,  straggling 


136  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

tree  with  compound  leaves  and  whitish  flowers,  grown  as  a 
curiosity.  It  does  well  in  pine  land. 

Heritiera  littoralis  from  the  tropical  coasts  of  the  Old  World 
is  a  fine  tree  with  long,  lanceolate  leaves  which  are  silvery  be- 
neath; it  bears  curious  large  seeds.  It  does  well  in  brackish 
swamps. 

Jacaranda  mimosaefolia  from  Brazil  is  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful ornaments  grown  in  Florida.  It  has  wonderfully  delicate, 
bipinnate  leaves  and  large  panicles  of  drooping,  trumpet-shaped 
blue  flowers.  It  is  hardier  than  some  of  the  tropical  trees.  It 
attains  a  height  of  sixty  feet  in  Florida. 

Kigelia  pinnata,  Sausage  Tree,  so  called  because  of  its  peculiar 
shaped  fruits  which  hang  on  long  stems.  A  rapid  grower,  bear- 
ing large,  dull  red  trumpet-shaped  flowers.  There  is  a  large  tree 
at  Cocoanut  Grove. 

Lager stroemia  flos-reginae.  A  tree  from  the  Malay  Archi- 
pelago which  is  something  like  a  glorified  crape  myrtle.  The 
leaves  somewhat  resemble  those  of  a  guava  and  it  bears  immense 
panicles  of  pink  or  purplish  flowers.  It  is  quite  tender  and  should 
have  good  soil  and  be  well  fertilized. 

Libocedrus  decurrens  is  a  fine  conifer  from  California  which  has 
handsome,  bright  green  leaves  when  young.  It  will  be  hardy 
all  over  the  state.  It  needs  good  soil  and  will  not  do  well  in  sand. 

Melaleuca  leucadendron,  Cajeput  Tree.  The  leaves  of  this 
are  lanceolate  and  are  alike  on  both  sides,  the  petioles  being 
twisted  so  that  they  sit  edgewise  after  the  manner  of  phyllodia. 
The  bark  is  very  soft  and  spongy  and  is  used  for  caulking  vessels; 
the  flowers  are  white  and  attractive.  From  the  leaves  is  distilled 
the  strong,  aromatic  oil  which  bears  the  name  of  "Cajuput"  or 
"Cajeput"  or  "Cajaput."  It  is  a  case  where  one  can  pay  his 
money  and  take  his  choice  in  the  matter  of  names.  It  will 
stand  some  frost  and  will  grow  in  all  soils. 

Melia.  M.  azedarach  var.  umbraculiformis  is  the  Umbrella 
Tree  cultivated  everywhere  throughout  the  lower  south.  It 
does  best  in  middle  and  northern  Florida  and  is  a  glorious  or- 
nament when  covered  with  its  exceedingly  dense,  dark  green 
foliage.  It  is  a  profuse  bloomer  and  casts  its  leaves  in  the  fall 
while  M.  sempervirens  holds  them  through  the  winter.  M. 


IN   FLORIDA  137 

floribunda  is  a  leggy  shrub  or  small  tree  but  is  a  most  constant 
bloomer.  It  is  called  "  Indian  Lilac"  on  account  of  its  delightful 
fragrance.  The  flowers  of  all  are  bluish  or  lilac  colored. 

Mesua  ferrea  of  Tropical  Asia  is  extensively  planted  and  is 
loved  by  the  people  of  its  native  region.  It  has  elegent  lanceolate 
leaves  and  large,  beautiful  white  flowers.  It  should  be  tried  in 
lower  Florida. 

Morifiga  pterygosperma,  Horseradish  Tree,  is  so  called  because 
the  large,  soft  roots  have  a  flavor  almost  exactly  like  those  of 
horseradish.  It  is  a  native  of  India,  a  rapid  grower  with  delicate 
compound  leaves  and  pretty  white  flowers.  It  will  stand  some 
frost  and  does  well  in  pine  land. 

Oroxylon  indicum.  A  very  tender  tree  from  Tropical  Asia 
with  immense  compound  leaves  and  racemes  of  one-sided,  bell- 
shaped  flowers.  They  are  white,  striped  purple  and  are  ill 
smelling.  The  seeds  are  thin  with  a  very  wide,  satiny  border 
which  makes  them  quite  ornamental.  It  is  doing  well  in  lower 
Florida. 

Pachira.  A  genus  of  highly  ornamental  trees  from  Tropical 
America,  having  shining,  digitate  leaves  and  very  large  flowers. 
P.  fastuosa  has  brilliant  red  blossoms;  in  P.  princeps  and  P. 
macrocarpa  they  are  white.  All  do  well  with  me. 

Parkinsonia  aculeata  and  the  Paritiums  have  been  noticed 
under  the  head  of  native  trees. 

Parmentiera  cerifera,  Candle  Tree  from  Tropical  America, 
belongs  to  the  Bignonia  Family,  has  small,  winged,  trifoliate 
leaves  and  white,  trumpet  shaped  flowers.  These  are  followed 
by  fruits  two  or  three  feet  long  resembling  candles,  which  are 
said  to  be  edible.  It  is  doing  well  here.  There  is  a  beautiful 
picture  of  this  tree  in  fruit  in  Macmillan's  "Handbook  of  Tropical 
Gardening." 

Peltophorum  ferrugineum  is  a  lofty,  rapid  growing  tree  from  the 
Philippines  with  bipinnate  leaves  and  racemes  of  attractive 
yellow  flowers.  A  young  tree  in  my  grounds  has  bloomed  at  a 
height  of  fifteen  feet.  It  seems  to  be  very  much  at  home  in  pine 
land  and  is  more  hardy  than  many  tropical  trees. 

Pithecolobium  dulce  is  a  rapid  grower  with  bipinnate  leaves,  the 
leaflets  in  pairs,  which  I  have  discussed  under  the  head  of  shade 


138  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

trees  for  roads.  P.  saman  has  four  to  six  pairs  of  pinnae,  the 
outer  leaflets  being  largest.  It  is  one  of  the  standard  shade  trees 
for  roads  in  Cuba  and  though  I  had  tried  it  repeatedly  here  it 
failed  until  recently.  I  have  it  now  doing  finely  and  it  will 
probably  make  a  large  and  attractive  ornamental  for  lower 
Florida. 

Pimento,  officinalis,  the  Allspice  of  Jamaica,  is  an  attractive 
tree  with  thick,  elongated,  glossy  leaves  and  white  flowers  in 
corymbs.  It  is  growing  finely  and  has  bloomed  in  my  hammock. 

Plumeria.  A  small  genus  of  fine  trees  from  the  American 
Tropics  with  white,  pink  or  red,  very  fragrant  flowers  from  which 
the  perfume  called  Frangipani  is  made.  The  branches  are  club- 
shaped;  the  flowers  are  in  heads  and  handsome.  P.  alba  has 
white  flowers;. P.  rubra  rich  red;  P.  acutifolia  white  within  and 
pink  outside;  P.  tricolor,  yellow,  red  and  white.  They  do  best 
in  dry,  rather  poor  soil  and  can  be  grown  from  cuttings  if  care  is 
taken  that  they  are  kept  pretty  dry. 

Podocarpus.  A  genus  of  ornamental  conifers  of  which  a  few 
species  have  been  cultivated  in  Florida.  P.  macrophylla  from 
Japan  is  doing  well  with  me  and  is  quite  striking.  My  specimen 
is  twelve  feet  high  and  has  sent  out  a  number  of  stems  which  are 
densely  set  with  large,  dark  green  leaves.  According  to  Schnabel 
it  is  tender  at  Gainesville. 

Ricinus,  Castor  Bean.  This  well-known  bedding  plant  of 
northern  gardens  reaches  the  dimensions  of  a  tree  here.  When 
grown  in  rich  soil  and  fertilized  it  produces  quite  a  tropical 
effect  but  it  is  likely  to  become  scraggy.  The  variety  or  species 
called  sanguineus  is  dwarfed  in  habit  and  has  purple-crimson 
foliage.  They  are  tender. 

Saraca  indica.  When  I  first  received  this  I  planted  it  in  pine 
land  in  sunshine  and  for  years  it  did  no  good.  Later  I  trans- 
planted it  to  a  more  moist,  somewhat  shaded  place  where  it  is 
now  doing  well.  Like  Brownea  its  young  pinnate  leaves  are 
purplish  and  drooping;  it  also  has  fine  red  flowers.  It  is  probably 
tender. 

Schinus  molle.  I  have  repeatedly  failed  with  this  beautiful 
tree,  but  it  may  do  better  in  soil  that  is  free  from  lime.  S.  tere- 


IN   FLORIDA  139 

binthifolius  has  also  failed  with  me.     Reasoner  reports  that  the 
latter  does  well  with  him. 

Schizolobium  excelsum  is  a  noble  tree  from  Brazil  which  has 
been  introduced  into  Florida.  I  have  had  it  reach  twelve  feet- 
but  it  was  badly  hurt  in  a  freeze  and  never  fully  recovered.  Its 
immense  decompound  leaves  are  very  beautiful. 

Sciadophyllum  pulchrum  is  probably  the  correct  name  of  a 
tree  received  as  Aralia  pulchra.  It  has  beautiful,  glossy,  digitate 
foliage  and  when  well  grown  is  an  elegant  object.  There  is  a 
good  specimen  in  the  grounds  of  the  Royal  Palm  Hotel  at  Miami. 
Tender,  no  doubt. 

Sciadopitys  verticellata  is  a  tall,  slow  growing  conifer  from 
Japan  with  elegant  whorls  of  curved  leaves  and  attractive, 
curiously  sculptured  cones.  It  ought  to  be  hardy  anywhere  in 
Florida.  I  do  not  know  that  it  has  been  introduced  but  it  should 
be  tried  in  moderately  moist,  rich  soil  in  the  upper  districts. 

Spathodea  campanulata  is  a  superb  flowering  tree  from  tropical 
Africa,  belonging  to  the  Bignoniaceae,  having  large,  light  green, 
pinnate  leaves  and  great,  flattened,  one-sided,  pitcher-shaped 
flowers.  These  are  dull  red,  bordered  yellow  and  the  effect  of 
the  tree  when  in  bloom  is  wonderful.  It  is  a  rapid  grower  but 
very  tender  and  should  be  planted  in  a  sheltered  place.  It  blooms 
when  quite  small. 

Sterculia.  A  large  genus  of  ornamental  trees  mostly  from  the 
warmer  parts  of  the  Old  World.  Several  have  been  cultivated  in 
Florida  and  some  are  quite  handsome.  S.  foetida  from  tropical 
Africa  has  dull  red  flowers  and  striking  leaves;  61.  acerifolium  is 
the  same  as  Brachychiton  acerifolium;  S.  alata  from  India  has  very 
large,  ovate  cordate  leaves;  S.  carthagenensis  has  large,  handsome 
palmate  leaves  and  interesting  flowers.  S.  platanifolia  is  a 
striking  tree  that  is  almost  hardy  in  Washington.  It  has  grown 
very  slowly  with  me,  merely  putting  out  healthy  leaves  each 
year,  but  there  is  a  fine  specimen  in  the  grounds  of  the  Flagler 
residence  at  Palm  Beach.  It  may  be  that  a  limy  soil  is  distasteful 
to  it. 

Stereo spermum  suaveolens  is  an  Indian  tree  with  immense 
compound  leaves  and  dull  red  or  purplish  flowers.  S.  sinicum 
is  a  handsomer  tree  from  China  with  yellow  blossoms.  The 


140  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

latter  is  hardy  up  to  the  middle  of  the  state,  the  former  is  tender. 

Tabebuia  pentaphylla  has  been  distributed  as  Bignonia  aden- 
cphylla.  It  is  a  native  of  Cuba  and  has  digitate  leaves  and  large 
clusters  of  handsome  purplish  pink,  trumpet-shaped  flowers.  It 
has  bloomed  finely  for  me. 

Tamarindus  indica,  Tamarind,  is  a  noble  tree,  almost  wor- 
shipped in  India,  having  pinnate  leaves  and  small,  yellowish, 
pea-shaped  flowers,  often  striped  with  red.  The  pods  contain  a 
sweetish  or  subacid  pulp  that  is  used  in  making  cooling  drinks. 
It  will  stand  some  frost. 

Terminalia  catappa,  Tropical  Almond,  is  a  famous  tree  which  is 
probably  a  native  of  the  warmer  parts  of  Asia  but  which  has  been 
distributed  all  over  the  tropics.  It  bears  rosettes  of  immense 
obovate,  shining  leaves  at  the  ends  of  its  whorled,  horizontal 
branches,  and  nuts  resembling  almonds,  but  whose  small,  sweet 
kernel  has  a  rather  thick  shell.  It  is  somewhat  tender  and  in 
subtropical  regions  its  leaves  assume  most  gorgeous  tints  of  yel- 
low, red,  scarlet  and  purple  before  they  fall,  autumn  leaves  with- 
out frost.  In  the  tropics  they  remain  green  all  winter. 

Theobroma  cacao  is  a  small  tree  with  good-sized  handsome 
leaves,  which  bears  large  fruits  that  contain  cocoa  seeds.  It  is 
very  tender  and  has  totally  failed  with  me. 

Theophrasta.  A  genus  of  handsome  leaved  trees  from  tropical 
America  which  ought  to  be  tried  in  extreme  southern  Florida. 

Thevetia  neriifolia  is  an  attractive  but  poisonous  small  tree  from 
the  West  Indies.  It  has  slender,  shining  leaves  and  handsome, 
fragrant,  funnel-shaped  flowers  which  are  followed  by  curious, 
large  seeds  called  "Sailor's  Lucky  Beans."  There  is  a  salmon- 
flowered  variety. 

Thespesia.  A  genus  of  tropical  trees  containing  some  fine 
ornamentals.  T.  grandiflora  is  a  native  of  Porto  Rico  and  has 
large,  cordate  leaves  and  very  large,  bell-shaped,  rosy  crimson 
flowrers.  It  promises  to  become  one  of  the  finest  of  our  orna- 
mentals for  lower  Florida. 

EXOTIC  ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS. 

Abutilon,  Flowering  Maple.  A  genus  of  handsome  shrubs 
with  bell-shaped  flowers,  belonging  to  the  Hibiscus  family,  and 


IN   FLORIDA  141 

much  used  for  bedding  out  in  the  north.  I  think  they  would  do 
fairly  well  here  in  rich  soil  if  it  were  not  for  their  being  badly 
troubled  with  root  knot.  Schnabel  reports  that  they  are  a  little 
tender  at  Gainesville,  but  they  would  probably  be  hardy  over 
most  of  the  peninsula. 

Acacia.  Several  of  these  are  shrubs  and  I  can  see  no  reason 
why  they  should  not  do  well  in  middle  Florida.  They  fail  with 
me  and  others  about  here  who  have  reported  to  me. 

Aloysia  citriodora,  Lemon  Verbena.  A  shrub  which  will 
probably  be  hardy  over  the  whole  state,  a  native  of  Chile,  cul- 
tivated for  the  delicious  fragrance  of  its  foliage.  It  has  whorled, 
lanceolate  leaves  which  are  deciduous,  and  it  may  easily  be  prop- 
agated from  cuttings.  Here  it  does  not  do  well,  perhaps  on 
account  of  the  lime  in  the  soil,  but  according  to  one  of  Reasoner's 
old  catalogues  it  succeeds  in  Florida.  It  was  one  of  twelve  green- 
house plants  that  I  bought  when  a  boy,  the  first  I  ever  owned, 
walking  ten  miles  to  a  nursery  and  carrying  my  treasures  home 
in  a  basket.  These  twelve  were  the  above,  a  Fuchsia,  Souvenir 
de  Chiswick;  a  scarlet  Geranium,  then  called  Fish  Geranium; 
Cestrum  elegans;  Veronica  longifolia;  Abutilon  striatum;  Malva- 
mscus  arboreus;  a  scarlet  Verbena,  Brilliant  de  Vaise;  Begonia 
evansiana;  Calla  ethiopica;  Cuphea  platycentra  and  Viburnum 
tinus.  They  were  almost  the  first  greenhouse  plants  that  I,  a 
country  boy,  had  seen ;  my  pride  and  comfort  in  owning  them  was 
immeasurable  and  I  called  them  my  "Twelve  Apostles."  And 
ever  since  I  have  felt  a  sort  of  tenderness  towards  these  same 
plants  that  I  have  for  no  others. 

Aralia.  A  genus  of  shrubs  or  small  trees  which  has  been  con- 
siderably divided  up  of  late.  A.  guilfoylei  has  handsome,  glossy, 
pinnate  leaves  which  are  variegated  with  white,  a  very  fine,  erect 
growing  shrub,  much  cultivated  in  lower  Florida.  There  are  a 
few  other  tender  species  cultivated  here.  The  genus  is  close  to 
Panax.  A.  spinosa,  Hercules  Club,  is  grown  for  its  large  com- 
pound leaves  and  immense  clusters  of  white  flowers.  It  is  densely 
spiny  and  is  hardy  as  far  north  as  Washington. 

Ardisia  crenulata  is  a  small,  pretty  shrub  with  thick,  glossy, 
wavy-edged  leaves  and  clusters  of  red  berries  which  remain  in 
perfection  a  long  time.  It  is  doing  fairly  well  for  me  in  a  shaded 


142  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

spot  in  the  edge  of  the  hammock.  A .  polycephala  is  a  fine  plant 
with  black  berries  and  A .  japonica  which  is  quite  hardy,  has  white 
fruit.  The  two  former  are  tender. 

Althea,  see  Hibiscus  syriacus. 

Artabotrys  odoratissima.  The  False  Ylang-ylang,  a  half 
climbing  shrub  related  to  the  sugar-apple,  having  elliptic,  glossy 
leaves  and  delightfully  scented  flowers,  a  native  of  the  East 
Indies  and  probably  tender.  It  is  doing  well  with  me  in  half  shade. 

Aucuba  japonica,  Japan  Gold-dust  Shrub.  A  handsome  large 
shrub  with  glossy  leaves  blotched  with  gold,  probably  hardy 
throughout  the  entire  state.  It  should  be  grown  in  a  half 
shaded  place  and  prefers  a  clayey,  moist,  well-drained  soil. 
It  has  totally  failed  for  me. 

Allamanda  neriifolia  is  one  of  our  best  shrubs,  being  always 
covered  with  its  golden,,  funnel-shaped  blossoms;  in  fact,  it  is 
liable  to  injure  itself  by  overblooming.  It  should  have  good  soil 
and  plenty  of  fertilizer  and  ought  to  be  well  trimmed  back  when 
it  becomes  scraggy.  It  is  tender. 

Azalea.  Probably  all  the  Azaleas  will  prove  hardy  throughout 
the  state.  They  should  be  grown  in  somewhat  shaded  places 
where  they  are  sheltered  from  high  winds,  preferably  in  clayey 
soil,  though  muck  or  peat  added  to  it  would  be  beneficial.  Lime 
in  the  soil  seems  to  be  poisonous  to  them,  hence  they  all  fail  in 
this  region.  They  are  so  beautiful  that  they  should  be  culti- 
vated wherever  it  is  possible  to  do  so. 

Baphia.  DeCandolle  and  Don  state  that  Baphia  has  pinnate 
leaves  while  Nicholson  says  they  are  entire.  B.  racemosa  has  a 
simple  leaflet  which  is  jointed  to  the  petiole,  and  pretty,  white, 
pea-shaped  flowers.  It  is  growing  nicely  for  me  on  pine  land. 

Bouvardia.  A  genus  of  American  shrubs  and  herbaceous 
perennials  bearing  attractive  flowers.  Most  of  them  are  tropical 
but  a  few  extend  north  to  Texas.  I  have  several  times  tried 
these  plants  but  something  has  happened  to  them.  I  do  not 
see  why  they  should  not  do  well  in  South  Florida. 

Bauhinia.  Several  species  are  shrubs  and  all  that  I  have  tried 
have  done  well.  B.  acuminata  has  fine,  large,  white  flowers  in 
summer  and  a  species  which  was  sent  to  me  as  B.  picta,  but 
which  has  yellow,  Abutilon-shaped  flowers,  does  nicely.  All  the 


IN   FLORIDA  143 

species  do  well,  so  far  as  I  have  seen,  in  South  Florida,  where  if 
they  are  injured  by  frost  they  soon  come  on  again. 

Brunfelsia  americana  is  a  fine  West  Indian  shrub  with  shining 
leaves  and  very  long  tubed  whitish  flowers;  one  of  our  most  pro- 
fuse bloomers.  It  is  tender. 

Buxus  sempervirens  is  a  small  tree  or  shrub,  commonly  called 
Box  Tree.  The  large  form  is  used  throughout  the  south  for 
decoration  and  the  dwarf  variety  for  edgings.  I  have  not  seen 
it  in  lower  Florida. 

Caesalpinia  pukherrima,  Barbados  Flower  Fence,  is  one  of  the 
most  popular  plants  in  South  Florida.  It  is  so  well  known  that 
no  description  of  it  is  needed.  There  are  two  varieties  in  cul- 
tivation, the  commoner  one  with  scarlet  and  yellow  flowers;  the 
other  with  clear  yellow  blossoms.  Both  do  well  in  pine  land  but 
should  be  liberally  fertilized.  It  comes  up  quickly  if  frozen 
down  and  may  be,  no  doubt,  cultivated  all  over  the  peninsula. 

Callistemon  lanceolatus ,  Bottle  Brush,  usually  sold  under  the 
name  Metrosideros  floribunda,  the  latter  probably  being  a  different 
thing.  An  Australian  shrub  which  will  probably  prove  hardy 
over  most  of  the  state.  It  does  finely  at  Gotha  in  the  garden  of 
Professor  Nehrling  but  seems  to  fail  here.  It  has  handsome 
spikes  of  crimson  stamens  arranged  on  a  stem  after  the  manner 
of  a  bottle  brush. 

Calotropis.  A  genus  of  shrubs  and  small  trees  from  the  Orien- 
tal Tropics  that  is  cultivated  around  the  world.  The  group  be- 
longs to  the  Asclepiadaceae,  the  Butterfly-weed  family,  and  the 
species  have  large  leaves  and  attractive  flowers.  C.  procera  has 
white  blossoms  while  those  of  C,  gigantea  are  purple  rose.  They 
are  cultivated  at  Miami. 

Calycanthus  floridus  and  C.  glaucus  are  natives  of  the  south- 
eastern states,  the  former  possibly  reaching  to  Florida.  They 
have  very  fragrant,  brownish  or  purplish  flowers  and  are  of  easy 
culture. 

Camellia.  Too  well  known  to  need  description.  The  varie- 
ties of  C.  japonica  are  most  commonly  cultivated  and  should  be 
hardy  throughout  the  state.  They  will  no  doubt  do  well  in  the 
upper  half  of  the  state,  planted  in  sheltered,  cool  situations,  but 
it  is  probable  that  they  will  not  succeed  in  lower  Florida. 


144  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Cassia.  There  are  several  shrubby  species  of  Cassia  of  which 
C.  alata  does  well  here. 

Catesbaea  spinosa  is  a  thorny  shrub  with  small,  shiny  leaves 
and  astonishingly  long,  large,  trumpet-shaped,  yellow  flowers 
which  hang  pendent  from  its  branches.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Ba- 
hamas and  is  probably  tender.  It  is  a  most  profuse  bloomer  and 
is  highly  decorative. 

Centradenia.  A  genus  consisting  of  four  species  of  handsome 
flowering  shrubs  and  herbs  from  Mexico.  Not  tried  in  lower 
Florida  that  I  know  of,  but  should  be. 

Cestrum.  Fine  shrubs,  sometimes  half  climbing,  from  Mexico 
to  Chile,  all  of  which  do  well  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  state 
but  are  subject  to  root  knot  when  young.  C.  parqui,  diurnum 
and  nocturnum  have  greenish  flowers  that  are  richly  fragrant,  the 
latter  being  the  Night  Blooming  Jessamine.  C.  aumniiacum 
has  yellow  flowers  and  those  of  C.  elegans  are  purple  crimson. 

Clerodendron  siphonanthus  is  a  shrub  from  the  East  Indies 
which  is  becoming  half  naturalized  around  old  dwellings  in  Flor- 
ida, and  is  somewhat  hardy.  It  has  large  terminal  racemes  of 
long-tubed,  white  flowers,  followed  by  showy  red  and  purple 
berries.  C.fragrans  has  large  cordate  leaves  and  dense  corymbs 
of  single  or  double  white  flowers  which  are  very  fragrant.  It 
spreads  badly  and  is  difficult  to  eradicate  when  it  is  once  estab- 
lished. C.  bungei  has  lilac  flowers  and  with  the  last  is  quite 
hardy. 

Codiaeum,  commonly  called  Croton.  Shrubs  from  the  South 
Seas  with  magnificent  glossy,  variegated  foliage,  green,  pink,  red, 
white  and  various  shades  of  yellow.  They  enjoy  sunshine  and 
moisture  though  they  will  do  well  in  partial  shade.  The  many 
varieties  in  cultivation  are  mostly  from  hybrids  of  two  or  three 
probable  species  with  greatly  diverse  forms  of  leaves.  They  are 
quite  tender  and  can  only  be  grown  successfully  in  the  extreme 
lower  part  of  the  state, — even  there  they  had  better  be  sheltered 
from  high  winds  and  frost.  They  will  grow  in  any  ordinary  pine 
land  that  is  well  fertilized.  The  names  are  in  great  confusion, 
no  two  dealers  agreeing  on  them,  so  it  is  almost  useless  to  attempt 
to  give  lists.  A  few  of  them  which  have  light  colors  are  inclined 


IN   FLORIDA  145 

to  burn  in  the  sun  but  nearly  all  the  varieties  do  well  in  frostless 
regions. 

Cydonia  japonica,  Japan  Quince,  has  rich  scarlet  flowers  and  is 
very  ornamental.  It  is  widely  cultivated  at  the  north  and  does 
well  with  McLaren  at  Fernandina.  There  are  white,  pink  and 
salmon  varieties. 

Daphne.  Several  species  of  rather  small,  hardy  shrubs  with 
evergreen  leaves  and  fragrant  flowers.  They  do  well  in  light, 
open,  well-drained  soils  and  would  probably  succeed  in  the  upper 
half  of  the  state. 

Deutzia.  Hardy  shrubs  with  showy  white  or  blush  flowers 
that  appear  in  spring  or  early  summer.  Some  of  them  should 
do  well  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state  and  possibly  farther 
south.  Pleas  says  that  D.  crenata  does  best  with  him  at  Chipley 
but  that  D.  gracilis  nearly  fails. 

Duranta  plumieri  or  repens  is  a  rampant,  straggling  shrub  which 
bears  spikes  of  blue  flowers  like  large  forget-me-nots  through 
most  of  the  year.  When  in  bloom  there  is  always  hovering  over 
the  flowers  a  swarm  of  gaudy  butterflies  as  attractive  as  the 
blossoms  themselves.  It  is  a  native  of  the  American  Tropics 
and  would  probably  not  be  hardy  north  of  the  middle  of  the 
state.  In  some  cases  it  bears  handsome  yellow  berries. 

Euphorbia.  E.  splendens,  the  Crown  of  Thorns,  with  its  fleshy, 
thorny  stems  and  deep  red  bracts  is  a  favorite  pot  plant  in  the 
north.  Here  it  blooms  throughout  the  year  and  is  hardier  than 
some  tropical  plants.  E.  jacquiniflora,  Scarlet  Plume,  is  a  small 
shrub  with  willowy  branches  and  orange  scarlet  bracts  in  winter, 
a  very  tender  plant. 

E.  pukherrima,  Poinsettia  as  it  is  commonly  called,  is  one  of 
the  standard  ornamentals  of  South  Florida.  Here  it  grows  to  be 
a  great  shrub  twelve  feet  high  and  under  favorable  circumstances 
it  becomes  a  small  tree.  From  November,  until  as  late  as  March, 
it  bears  its  great  crowns  of  gorgeous  crimson  bracts,  often  four- 
teen inches  across  and  in  the  greatest  profusion.  The  stems  have 
a  tendency  to  grow  long  and  straggling  and  it  is  better  through 
the  summer  to  pinch  out  the  buds  from  time  to  time  thus  caus- 
ing them  to  branch,  become  stocky  and  produce  more  blooms. 
After  the  blossoming  season  is  over  they  should  be  cut  back 


146  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

severely  and  well  fertilized,  as  the  soil  must  be  very  rich  for  them 
to  do  their  best.  Muck  worked  in  around  the  roots  is  excellent. 
These  cuttings,  taken  off  in  March  or  April,  will  root  readily  if 
kept  rather  dry.  They  may  be  put  in  the  ground  nearly  to  their 
tops  or  into  pots.  There  is  a  double  and  a  white  variety.  If 
cut  down  by  frost  it  comes  up  quickly. 

Fatsia  papyrifera  is  a  native  of  Formosa,  with  large  cordate, 
somewhat  lobed  leaves,  a  most  striking  plant.  The  pith  in  the 
main  stem  is  an  inch  in  diameter  and  by  a  sharp  instrument  is 
cut  into  sheets  as  it  is  unrolled,  forming  the  beautiful  rice  paper. 
Reasoner  reports  that  this  does  splendidly  with  him  but  it  fails 
with  me;  perhaps  it  dislikes  the  lime  in  the  soil. 

Fuchsia.  These  well-known  and  charming  plants  fail  with  me, 
and  several  others  in  various  parts  of  the  state  report  a  like  ex- 
perience. Sometimes  they  do  well  in  pots  but  they  are  short 
lived.  Whenever  I  see  beautiful  pictures  of  them  in  the  cata- 
logues I  get  soft  and  send  for  some  of  them  and  then  go  through 
the  same  experience  again.  It  only  shows  that  wre  can't  have 
everything  in  Florida,  though  we  can  come  pretty  near  it. 

Gardenia  florida  and  its  variety  fortuniana  are  natives  of  China, 
too  well  known  to  need  comment.  They  are  hardy  all  through 
this  state  and  do  well  generally  except  perhaps  in  the  extreme 
southern  portion.  Here  they  fail,  probably  because  of  lime  in 
the  soil. 

Graptophyllum  hortense  is  a  handsome  shrub  from  the  hotter 
parts  of  the  Old  World.  It  has  bright  green  elliptical  ler  es 
having  a  sort  of  oak  leaf  pattern  of  white  laid  on  over  the  middle 
part  with  most  striking  effect.  I  think  it  prefers  partial  shade 
and  it  should  be  planted  in  a  place  protected  from  frost. 

Grevillea  thelemanniana  is  a  most  charming  shrub,  having  hand- 
some red  flowers.  I  have  repeatedly  had  this  sent  from  Cali- 
fornia but  it  seems  to  suffer  greatly  in  transportation,  for  al- 
though it  has  sometimes  arrived  in  apparently  good  condition 
it  has  invariably  turned  yellow  and  died  in  a  short  time.  Pos- 
sibly if  it  was  defoliated  before  being  shipped  it  might  survive. 
It  ought  to  be  tried  thoroughly  here. 

Hamelia  sphaerocarpa  is  much  like  our  H.  patens  but  the  flowers 
have  more  of  an  orange  tint.  It  is  excessively  tender. 


IN   FLORIDA  147 

Hibiscus  rosa-sinensis,  Chinese  Hibiscus.  There  is  hardly  a 
home,  either  of  white  or  black,  so  poor  and  lowly  in  South  Florida 
that  it  does  not  have  one  or  more  of  these  "Hibiscus"  as  they 
are  simply  called.  This  shrub,  the  scarlet  bush  Poinciana,  the 
Acalyphas  and  the  towering  coconut  are  the  poor  man's  plants 
in  the  warmer  part  of  the  state,  the  first  pioneers  of  home  decora- 
tion, the  harbingers  of  other  beautiful  things  to  come.  The  Hi- 
biscus succeed  to  a  certain  extent  to  the  northern  limits  of  the  pen- 
insula; for,  if  frozen  down  in  this  are  a,  they  spring  up  with  renewed 
vigor  and  are  soon  covered  with  their  gaudy  blossoms.  One  of 
the  finest  is  the  old  dazzling  scarlet;  the  purple  crimson  is  very 
fine,  so  is  the  pink,  and  the  salmon  with  a  dark  eye.  I  bought 
a  plant  some  years  ago  advertised  as  a  white  which  comes  out  a 
pale  pink  and  turns  to  an  almost  pure  white.  Kirk  Munroe 
tells  me  of  seeing  three  hundred  varieties  of  Chinese  Hibiscus 
flowers  in  India.  H.  mutabilis  has  lovely  large  flowers  that  are 
pale  pink  in  the  morning  and  turn  almost  to  red  in  the  evening, 
but  it  is  a  straggling  grower.  H.  schizopetalus  has  fuchsia- 
shaped  flowers  with  remarkably  incised  petals.  H.  syriacus  is 
hardy  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state  and  has  flowers  of  several 
colors. 

Ipomoea  fistulosa  is  an  upright,  somewhat  shrubby  plant 
bearing  large  purple  flowers,  very  common  in  the  West  Indies. 
I  have  seen  it  in  cultivation  at  Fort  Myers  where  it  was  doing 
well. 

Hydrangea.  These  well-known  plants  evidently  dislike  lime 
in  the  soil  as  repeated  efforts  made  in  this  vicinity  to  grow  them 
have  failed.  They  do  well  in  places  throughout  the  state,  being 
perfectly  hardy.  They  prefer  a  rich,  somewhat  moist  soil  and 
partial  shade.  According  to  Schnabel  they  are  subject  to  root 
knot  at  Gainesville. 

Ixora.  A  large  genus  of  shrubs  and  small  trees  from  the 
Torrid  Zone.  The  leaves  are  opposite  and  generally  shining 
and  leathery;  the  flowers  are  borne  in  corymbs  and  are  often 
superb.  Many  of  them  are  hybrids  and  all  can  easily  be  grown 
from  cuttings  during  the  warm  part  of  the  year.  /.  coccinea 
is  a  glorious  large  shrub,  bearing  almost  continually  clusters 
of  rich  scarlet  flowers  of  great  endurance;  /.  williamsi,  reddish 
11 


148  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

salmon;  /.  dixiana,  deep  orange;  I.  colei,  pure  white;  I.  flore 
lutea,  light  yellow;  /.  rosea  splendens,  bright  rose.  They  are  all 
a  little  tender. 

Kopsia.  I  have  a  species  of  this  which  may  be  K.  arborea. 
It  has  beautiful,  obovate,  thick,  glossy  leaves,  small  white  flowers 
and  handsome  red  fruits.  It  does  well  in  pine  land  but  is  very 
tender. 

Lagerstroemia  indica,  Crape  Myrtle.  There  are  several  vari- 
eties of  this,  the  commonest  being  a  purplish  pink;  there  is 
a  white  and  a  red  form,  also  a  sort  of  lilac  tint.  They  are  most 
completely  at  home  in  the  north  half  of  the  state  where  almost 
every  yard  is  gay  with  their  blossoms  in  summer  and  fall.  They 
may  be  propagated  by  cuttings  of  the  ripe  wood. 

Laurus  nobilis,  Common  or  English  Laurel.  It  was  with 
branches  of  this  that  the  Greeks  and  Romans  crowned  the  heads 
of  their  heroes.  It  does  fairly  well  in  Florida  and  is  generally 
hardy.  Cuttings  planted  in  a  moist,  shady  place  will  grow. 

Lawsonia  inermis,  Henna,  bears  clusters  of  small  white  flowers 
which  have  almost  exactly  the  odor  of  tea  roses.  It  is  a  strag- 
gling shrub  and  is  somewhat  tender. 

Ligustrum,  Privet.  L.  lucidum  and  L.  amurense  are  hardy 
shrubs  used  for  hedges  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 

Malvaviscus  arboreus  is  a  fine  old-fashioned  shrub  related  to 
the  Abutilons,  which  constantly  bears  erect,  crimson  flowers. 
It  is  a  native  of  the  West  Indies  and  is  hardier  than  some  tropical 
plants.  It  does  fairly  well  here  if  given  good  soil  and  plenty  of 
fertilizer.  Although  it  bears  the  specific  name  "arboreus," 
meaning  a  tree,  it  is  only  a  shrub  and  the  appellation  is,  no 
doubt,  one  of  the  playful  liberties  the  botanists  take  to  relieve 
the  tedium  of  systematic  work. 

Murraya  exotica,  Orange  Jessamine,  is  a  beautiful  shrub  from 
the  Oriental  Tropics  having  glossy,  three  to  eight  foliate  leaves 
and  small  white,  fragrant  flowers.  It  is  used  in  the  West  Indies 
for  hedges. 

Mussaenda  frondosa  is  a  fine  shrub  with  small  orange-colored 
flowers,  the  cluster  subtended  by  a  large,  leathery,  pure  white 
bract  which  holds  its  beauty  for  a  long  time.  It  is  a  native  of 
the  East  Indian  Archipelago  and  is  quite  tender. 


IN   FLORIDA  149 

Myrtus  communis,  Common  Myrtle.  A  pretty,  hardy  shrub 
from  South  Europe  which,  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  does  well  in  the 
cooler  parts  of  the  state.  It  fails  here. 

Nerium,  Oleander.  I  write  this  name  with  great  satisfaction 
for  the  varieties  of  this  shrub  are  among  our  finest  and  most 
satisfactory  garden  ornaments.  It  is  hardy  throughout  most 
of  the  state ;  it  grows  well  in  all  kinds  of  soil  from  brackish  muck 
to  high  pine  land.  Mr.  Pleas  reports  that  it  does  well  at  Chip- 
ley  but  is  a  little  tender.  The  old  semi- double  pink  is  one  of 
the  finest,  the  flowers  being  large,  beautifully  colored  and  very 
abundant;  there  are  single  and  double  whites,  cream  color  to 
almost  yellow.  There  are  many  varieties  of  pink,  red  and 
crimson  "and  variegated  sorts.  The  Oleander  makes  a  fine 
hedge  as  it  stands  shearing  well. 

Ormosia  dasycarpa,  Necklace  Tree  of  Jamaica.  A  small  tree 
or  large  shrub  belonging  to  the  Pea  family,  having  pinnate  leaves 
and  large  blue  flowers. 

Osmanihus  fragrans,  usually  sold  as  Olea  fragrans.  A  hardy 
shrub  from  China  and  Japan  with  opposite,  shining  leaves  and 
small  whitish,  very  fragrant  flowers.  It  does  well  in  regions  free 
from  limestone. 

Phyllanthus.  Several  species  of  ornamental  shrubs  are  placed 
in  this  genus,  among  them  P.  nivosus  and  its  varieties  which  are 
often  cultivated  for  hedges  in  the  lower  part  of  the  state.  The 
type  has  delicate  green  foliage  mottled  with  white,  a  lovely 
plant.  The  variety  roseo-pictus  is  like  the  type  but  has  in 
addition  shades  of  pink,  red  and  brownish.  Variety  atropur- 
pureus  is  a  stronger  grower  and  has  foliage  varying  from  green 
to  brownish  purple.  It  sprouts  very  badly.  P.  angustifolius 
is  one  of  the  oddest  things  we  cultivate.  It  has  compressed 
branches  and  distichous  branchlets,  the  latter  with  serrated 
edges  and  strong,  raised  veins.  The  small,  purplish,  salver- 
shaped  flowers  have  a  way  of  roosting  around  the  edges  of  these, 
singly  or  in  clusters.  The  botanists  say  it  is  a  native  of  the  West 
Indies  and  that  it  is  only  two  feet  high  but  I  have  a  young 
specimen  that  is  fully  ten.  It  is  tender. 

Pittosporum.  A  genus  of  hardy  shrubs  with  evergreen  leaves 
and  small,  often  fragrant  flowers,  natives  of  Australasia.  They 


150  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

generally  do  well  throughout  the  state  and  here  they  grow  finely 
but  are  shy  about  blooming.  At  Rockledge  P.  tobira  blossoms 
abundantly.  P.  tobira  variegata  is  prettily  marked  with  creamy 
white;  P.  viridiflorum  is  a  rank  grower;  P.  undulatum  has  wavy 
leaves. 

Plumbago.  A  few  species  of  fine,  straggling  shrubs  of  which 
two  are  in  common  cultivation,  P.  capensis,  a  lovely  pale  blue 
flowered  plant,  and  its  variety  alba  with  white  bloom.  Both 
are  hardy  and  do  well  in  pine  land.  P.  rosea  has  charming  rosy 
red  flowers  but  is  considerably  more  tender.  P.  larpenlae  with 
vivid  blue  flowers  is  now  called  Ceratostigma.  It  has  not  suc- 
ceeded with  me. 

Raphiolepis  ovata  is  a  slow  grower  with  heavy,  glossy,  obovate 
leaves  and  pretty  pinkish  white  flowers.  R.  indica  has  smaller, 
narrower  leaves  and  pinkish  or  reddish  blossoms ;  both  are  hardy 
and  are  doing  well  for  me. 

Rondeletia  odorata  is  an  exquisite  shrub  from  the  West  Indies. 
I  have  a  plant  which  has  had  a  hard  time  of  it.  I  first  planted 
it  out  in  the  sun  and  it  didn't  do  well;  then  I  was  told  by  Mr. 
Theodore  Mead  of  Oviedo  to  put  in  it  the  shade,  which  I  did 
and  it  began  to  grow.  Twice  it  has  been  scratched  up  by  chick- 
ens and  once  it  was  accidentally  buried  and  lost  for  awhile.  Then 
it  was  cut  down  with  frost;  later  it  fell  into  innocuous  desuetude, 
probably  from  too  much  shade.  Two  years  ago  I  was  over  in 
Cuba  and  saw  it  growing  there  in  a  most  exposed  place  on  the 
high  bank  of  a  small  river  in  the  blazing  sun.  I  came  home  and 
cleared  away  around  my  plant  and  now  it  is  looking  fine  and  is 
in  bloom.  I  think  it  will  do  well  now  for  it  seems  to  me  it  has 
met  with  and  overcome  all  the  calamities,  and  that  its  pathway 
should  now  be  bright  and  shining.  It  has  fine  oval  leaves  in 
pairs  and  verbena-like  heads  of  orange  scarlet  flowers  with  a 
yellow  eye. 

Rosa,  the  Rose.  I  do  not  think  one  can  honestly  say  that 
roses  are  perfectly  at  home  in  Florida,  certainly  not  in  the  way 
they  are  on  the  western  coast  of  the  United  States.  Roses 
prefer  a  strong  soil,  rich,  well-drained  clayey  loam  being  prefer- 
able, and  they  should  be  sheltered  from  high  winds.  They  also 
need  plenty  of  water  and  if  one  attempts  to  grow  them  on  high 


IN  FLORIDA  .  151 

pine  land  it  is  almost  absolutely  necessary  to  have  some  means 
of  irrigating,  for  water  is  a  crying  need  for  roses  on  such  soil. 
If  one  has  only  a  few  plants  it  will  pay  to  dig  out  a  couple  of 
feet  of  the  sand  and  fill  in  with  marl  or  any  kind  of  strong  soil, 
sods  from  an  old  pasture  being  good.  Liquid  cow  or  horse  manure 
will  be  beneficial  and  bone  meal  is  a  fine  fertilizer.  The  Monthly 
roses  are  so  glorious  that  it  is  worth  any  trouble  to  raise  them, 
and  some  of  the  Hybrid  Perpetuals  succeed  if  well  cared  for. 
A  large  portion  of  the  roses  grown  here  are  budded,  it  being 
believed  that  this  is  better  than  growing  them  on  their  own  roots. 
They  do  better  during  the  cooler  part  of  the  year  and  should 
be  transplanted  during  autumn  or  winter. 

Spirea.  Hardy  shrubs  cultivated  at  the  north,  some  of  which 
do  well  in  the  upper  districts.  Among  these  are  S.  reevesi  and 
its  double-flowered  variety;  S.  salicifolia  and  S.  van  houttei.  All 
have  white  flowers. 

Tabernaemontana  coronaria  is  one  of  the  finest  shrubs  (some- 
times almost  a  tree  here)  that  we  cultivate.  The  large,  glossy, 
oblong  leaves  are  handsome  and  almost  all  the  year  through  it 
bears  a  profusion  of  waxy  white  flowers  about  two  inches  across 
that  are  fragrant  a  part  of  the  time.  It  has  been  suggested  that 
in  their  native  country  certain  insects  which  visit  their  flowers 
for  honey  are  only  active  at  certain  hours  of  the  day.  As  these 
plants  find  the  insects  useful  for  purposes  of  cross-fertilization 
their  blossoms  give  out  fragrance  in  order  to  attract  these  insects 
only  while  they  are  active.  There  is  a  species  from  Kashmir  re- 
ceived without  a  name,  with  narrow  leaves  and  fine  single  white 
flowers  that  I  have  seen  in  bloom  at  Fort  Myers.  They  should 
be  well  fertilized. 

Tecoma  velutina  is  much  like  T.  stans  but  has  pubescent  leaves 
and  paler  yellow  flowers. 

Veronica.  This  genus  which  consists  mostly  of  herbs  contains 
a  few  shrubs.  They  have  long  spikes  of  dainty  blue  or  purplish 
flowers  which  are  fine  for  bouquets.  I  have  not  had  sufficient 
experience  with  them  to  say  whether  they  will  succeed  here  or 
not  but  they  have  failed  with  Reasoner  at  Oneco  and  with 
Schanbel  at  Gainesville. 

Viburnum  tinus,   Laurustinus.     This   fine,   hardy  old  shrub 


152  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

from  the  Mediterranean  region  has  opposite  leaves  and  cymes 
of  pretty  white  or  pinkish  flowers  which  are  slightly  fragrant. 
It  does  finely  with  me  though  it  has  been  reported  as  failing  in 
some  parts  of  the  state.  There  are  several  other  species,  some 
of  which  may  do  well  here. 

ORNAMENTAL  FRUIT-BEARING  PLANTS. 

In  the  temperate  regions  few  of  the  fruit  trees  or  shrubs  are 
particularly  ornamental  but  in  tropical  and  subtropical  parts 
of  the  world  many  of  these  are  very  fine  for  foliage  or  flowers 
and  in  some  cases  the  fruit  is  peculiar  or  handsome.  Thus  the 
orange,  lemon  and  grapefruit  are  often  cultivated  in  the  north 
in  pots  for  ornament  and  certainly  most  of  the  citrus  trees  are 
very  beautiful  where  they  flourish  in  the  open. 

Achras  sapota,  Sapodilla.  This  tree  has  been  loaded  down  with 
a  number  of  scientific  names  but  they  have  not  spoiled  its  beauty. 
It  puts  out  its  branches  in  whorls  after  the  manner  of  the  conifers 
and  these  bear  rosettes  of  elliptical,  thick,  shining  leaves  which 
are  closely  penninerved.  It  has  almost  globular  fruit  which 
has  a  russet  rind  and  very  sweet,  brown  pulp  with  shining  black 
seeds.  The  milky  juice  abounding  in  the  whole  plant  is  called 
"Chicle"  in  Mexico,  its  native  country,  and  is  the  base  of  chew- 
ing gum,  hence  the  classical  name  "Chiclets." 

Artocarpus  incisa,  Bread  Fruit,  is  a  noble  tree  with  immense, 
incised,  shining  leaves  which  bears  great  fruits  something  like 
those  of  an  Osage  Orange.  I  have  never  succeeded  with  it  and 
I  believe  it  has  not  done  well  in  lower  Florida.  A .  integrifolia  is 
the  Jak  Fruit  which  has  handsome  entire  leaves  and  bears  still 
larger  fruits.  There  is  a  magnificent  bearing  tree  in  the  grounds 
of  Mr.  Wm.  Matheson  at  Cocoanut  Grove. 

Cupania  sapida,  Akee  of  Tropical  Africa.  A  beautiful  pinnate- 
leaved  tree  whose  foliage  reminds  one  of  a  glorified  hickory.  Its 
pear-shaped,  triangular  fruits  are  brilliant  red  and  very  attractive. 
When  ripe  the  thick  outer  covering  splits  open  after  the  manner 
of  a  hickory  nut  and  reveals  a  cream-colored  kernel  in  which 
are  imbedded  three  large,  protruding,  shining  seeds.  Mixed 
up  with  this  kernel  is  a  sort  of  pink  integument.  Now,  the  kernel 
is  much  like  that  of  a  very  rich  nut  and  is  wholesome  and  the 


IN   FLORIDA  153 

integument  is  poison,  but  when  I  get  ready  to  eat  one  of  these 
fruits  I  can't  remember  to  save  me  which  part  is  wholesome  and 
which  is  poison  and  I  have  to  go  to  the  book  to  find  out,  for 
it  is  rather  important  that  one  should  be  sure.  The  tree 
will  grow  on  well-fertilized  pine  land  but  it  is  tender. 

Carica  papaya,  Tropical  Papaw.  When  well  grown  the  cul- 
tivated form  is  one  of  the  finest  of  ornamentals  but  in  order  to 
have  it  do  well  it  should  have  good  soil ;  pine  land  will  do  but  it 
must  be  well  fertilized.  It  likes  lots  of  water. 

Carissa.  The  different  species  of  this  genus  bear  good  fruits 
and  the  bushes  are  decidedly  ornamental  when  well  grown. 
They  all  have  thick,  glossy  leaves  and  fragrant  white  flowers; 
the  fruits  are  generally  red.  C.  grandiflora  has  quite  large 
flowers  with  the  fragrance  of  a  tuberose;  C.  acuminata  has  small 
flowers  in  clusters  with  a  peculiar  fragrance  and  pretty  berries 
like  those  of  a  barberry ;  C.  carandas  has  slightly  variegated  leaves 
and  blackish  fruits.  They  are  from  Africa  and  rather  tender. 

Ceratonia  siliqua,  St.  John's  Bread,  Carob  Tree.  A  large  tree 
in  the  Mediterranean  region;  I  have  seen  a  specimen  not  far  from 
Nice  that  was  eighty  feet  high  with  a  large  top.  It  has  shining 
pinnate  leaves  and  bears  pods  having  a  sweetish  pulp.  It  is 
hardy  and  is  quite  ornamental. 

Citrus.  It  is  not  necessary  to  comment  on  the  various  species 
and  varieties  of  this  genus.  One  of  the  most  attractive  of  the 
lot  is  the  Kumquat,  and  the  Bergamot  Berry  (Triphasia  trifoliate) 
with  its  trifoliate,  shining  leaves  and  reddish  berries  is  also 
beautiful. 

Coffee.  There  are  several  species  of  coffee  in  cultivation  and 
all  are  handsome.  They  should  be  grown  in  good  soil  in  partial 
shade ;  all  are  quite  tender. 

Cecropia  palmata  is  a  small  tree  from  the  Caribbean  Islands, 
with  immense  lobed  peltate  leaves,  green  above  and  silvery 
beneath.  C.  peliata  has  great  leaves  which  are  not  so  deeply 
lobed,  a  native  of  the  West  Indies.  Both  are  dioecious  and  the 
female  bears  long,  edible  finger-like  fruits.  Both  do  well  in 
lower  Florida  in  any  good  soil  and  are  very  striking. 

Chrysophyllum  cainito,  Star  Apple.  One  of  the  most  beautiful 
trees  I  have  ever  seen,  much  like  our  native  species.  The  upper 


154  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

sides  of  the  leaves  are  deep  green;  the  lower  surfaces  are  a  yel- 
lowish silky  brown.  Kingsley  says  of  it: — "And  what  is  the 
next,  like  an  evergreen  peach,  shedding  from  the  underside  of 
every  leaf  a  golden  light, — call  it  not  shade?  A  Star-apple." 
When  the  wind  tosses  up  the  leaves  the  effect  is  indescribable. 
The  beautiful  purple  fruit  shows  a  dark  star  when  cut  across, 
and  when  grown  in  our  sandy  soil  with  plenty  of  fertilizer  it  is 
quite  good. 

Dillenia  indica,  mentioned  with  ornamental  trees,  bears  an 
edible  fruit. 

Eriobotryajaponica,Loquat,is  a  handsome  tree,  hardy  through- 
out the  state,  and  bearing  delicious  subacid  fruits.  Its  large, 
evergreen,  serrated  leaves  are  very  ornamental  and  it  will  grow 
on  any  fairly  good  soil. 

Eugenia  jambos,  or  Rose  apple,  is  a  fine  tree  with  long,  leathery, 
glossy  leaves  something  like  those  of  a  Mango.  In  late  winter 
and  early  spring  it  bears  large  flowers  consisting  of  masses  of 
long,  creamy  white  stamens,  which  are  followed  by  fruits  with  a 
decided  flavor  of  roses.  It  is  a  charming  sight  to  pull  open  the 
dense  foliage  and  see  the  glorious  blossoms  hidden  within,  shining 
like  great  stars  in  the  semi-darkness.  E.  malaccensis  has  broader 
leaves  and  larger  fruits.  Both  are  from  the  Oriental  Tropics  and 
are  tender. 

Mammea  americana,  Mammee  Apple.  A  very  tender  tree 
from  the  West  Indies,  having  opposite,  elliptic  leaves  which  are 
thick  and  glossy.  It  becomes  a  large  tree  and  bears  great,  russet 
fruits  which  have  a  pleasant  subacid  flavor.  It  is  a  handsome, 
dark  foliaged  tree  of  which  there  are  immense  specimens  in  and 
near  Miami. 

Mangifera  indica,  Mango,  is  one  of  the  finest  ornamentals 
grown  and  needs  no  description. 

Monstera  deliciosa,  sometimes  called  Philodendron  pertustim, 
Ceriman  of  the  Lesser  Antilles.  A  magnificent  tropical  climber 
with  immense,  rounded,  deeply  incised  leaves  and  large  white 
spathes,  shaped  like  a  boat,  followed  by  long,  cone-like,  edible 
fruits.  The  plant  climbs  by  means  of  strong  adventive  roots 
which  attach  themselves  to  trees  or  rocky  faces.  From  time  to 
time  other  roots  are  dropped  from  the  climbing  stem  which  fall 


IN   FLORIDA  155 

to  the  ground  and  sustain  the  plant.  Charles  Kingsley  states 
that  such  is  the  vital  force  of  the  blossoms  that  they  actually 
give  off  heat  which  may  be  measured  with  a  thermometer.  The 
fruit  is  covered  with  hexagonal  scales  and  the  pulp  is  very  fine, 
having  a  flavor  of  pineapples  and  bananas,  as  well  as  a  charac- 
teristic one  of  its  own.  There  is,  however,  a  thorn  with  this 
rose,  for  the  rachis  of  the  fruit  is  armed  with  slender,  very  sharp 
spicules  that  easily  break  off  and  he  who  eats  it  must  be  very 
careful.  The  leaves  are  full  of  large  natural  holes,  sometimes 
to  the  number  of  a  hundred,  and  scientists  have  been  puzzled 
to  know  what  they  were  for.  Dr.  John  Gifford  of  Cocoanut 
Grove,  who  is  something  of  a  wag,  informed  me  some  time  ago 
that  they  were  created  by  nature  to  save  the  insects  the  trouble 
of  cutting  them.  I  have  measured  leaves  here  that  were  three 
feet  four  inches  wide  and  four  feet  long! 

Musa,  Plantain,  Banana.  These  plants  are  among  the  most 
glorious  ornaments  of  the  tropics  even  if  they  are  everywhere 
common.  The  plantain  for  some  reason  does  not  flourish  in 
lower  Florida,  but  the  fruiting  bananas  do  fairly  well  under 
favorable  conditions.  The  Orinoco  or  Horse  Banana  does  well, 
even  on  pine  land  if  it  is  well  fed,  though  it,  like  all  of  them, 
prefers  rich,  damp  soil.  It  is  cultivated  all  over  the  state  for 
ornament  and  even  up  into  Georgia  and  the  Gulf  states,  where 
it  occasionally  goes  through  mild  winters  with  little  damage  and 
fruits  the  following  summer.  Hart's  Choice  or  Lady  Finger,  is  a 
somewhat  hardy  form  while  the  Cavendish  or  Dwarf  is  quite 
tender. 

Phyllanthus  emblica,  Myrobalan.  One  of  the  most  exquisitely 
graceful  trees  I  have  ever  seen.  As  I  sit  here  writing  the  morn- 
ing breeze  is  gently  waving  the  wand-like  branches  of  a  beautiful 
specimen  just  across  the  lawn,  and  it  rivals  the  most  elegant  of 
the  bamboos.  My  tree  has  proven  to  be  a  rapid  grower  and  has 
stood  some  frost  without  injury  although  it  is  a  native  of  Tropical 
Asia.  It  bears  round,  green  fruits  the  size  of  a  marble  which 
are  used  for  preserving.  P.  distichus,  Otaheite  Gooseberry, 
is  also  a  fine  ornamental,  having  long,  incurved  pinnate  leaves 
which  are  brownish  when  young.  -The  white-ribbed,  very  acid 
fruit  is  used  in  lower  Florida  for  marmalade  and  sauce. 


156  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Punica  granatum,  Pomegranate.  A  large  shrub  or  small  tree 
bearing  handsome  scarlet  flowers  followed  by  good-sized,  edible 
fruits.  It  is  hardy  almost  as  far  north  as  Washington  and  does 
well  throughout  the  state.  It  should  be  well  fertilized. 

Rhodomyrtus  tomentosus  is  a  shrub  that  bears  handsome 
purplish  pink  flowers  and  fine  edible  berries.  MacLaren  reports 
that  it  does  well  with  him  at  Fernandina  and  it  flourishes  with  me. 

Tamarindus  indica,  Tamarind,  has  been  discussed  in  the  list 
of  ornamental  exotic  trees. 

ORNAMENTAL  VINES  AND  CREEPERS. 

Abrus  precatorius,  Crab's  Eye  Vine.  A  delicate  vine  with 
pinnate  leaves,  inconspicuous  flowers  and  pods  of  scarlet  beans, 
each  with  a  black  eye.  It  is  believed  to  be  a  native  of  the  East 
Indies  and  Tenison-Woods  says  that  it  grows  in  Malaysia  just 
inside  of  the  mangroves;  as  it  is  found  in  the  tropics  around  the 
world  it  is  probable  that  the  seeds  have  been  distributed  by 
the  sea.  The  leaves  are  rich  in  licorice  and  are  fine  to  eat  but 
it  is  claimed  that  the -seeds  are  poisonous.  When  once  estab- 
lished on  a  place  it  spreads  rapidly  by  means  of  its  seeds. 

Agdestes  clematidea  is  a  tender  climbing  herbaceous  plant  from 
Mexico  with  soft,  cordate  leaves  and  lovely  panicles  of  small,  pure 
white  flowers  in  summer  and  fall.  The  young  shoots  hang  down 
and  over  them  the  leaves  are  beautifully  imbricated,  making  a 
handsome  plant  when  not  in  flower ;  but  when  it  is  in  full  bloom  it 
is  simply  superb.  The  tuberous  roots  sometimes  attain  a  diameter 
of  two  feet  and  with  the  whole  of  the  plant  are  ill-smelling. 

Allamanda.  These  beautiful  shrubs  are  among  the  queens  of 
the  flower  garden  and  the  finest  is  A.  hendersoni.  If  given  a 
good  place  and  well  fed  it  is  a  rampant  grower  and  is  covered 
most  of  the  year  with  its  large,  trumpet-shaped,  golden  yellow 
blossoms.  I  have  a  vine  growing  over  my  porch;  the  tree  frogs 
make  their  homes  in  its  great  flower  tubes  and  the  dear  little 
creatures  always  notify  me  when  they  expect  rain,  though  some- 
times they  seem  to  be  mistaken.  A .  cathartica  has  rather  small 
obovate  leaves,  the  flowers  marked  with  white  in  the  throat; 
A.  schotti  is  a  strong  grower.  A.  molacea  is  a  fine  plant  with 
violet-tinted  flowers  of  which  excellent  specimens  are  growing  at 


THE    CARISSA,    OR    NATAL    PLUM. 

This  is  one  of  the  best  hedge  plants  for  south  Florida,  and  as  an  ornamental  is  worthy  of  a  place 
in  every  garden.  Its  white,  waxy  flowers  have  the  fragrance  of  the  jasmine,  and  its  scarlet  fruits 
which  are  here  shown  natural  size,  make  an  excellent  sauce  or  jelly.  The  Carissa  comes  from 
South  Africa.  (Fig.  36) 


THE   LITCHI. 

In  south  China  the  litchi  is  a  favorite  fruit.  It  has  recently  been  planted  in  south  Florida  and 
gives  promise  of  being  successful.  The  tree  is  handsome  and  of  value  as  an  ornamental,  while 
the  rough,  reddish  brown  fruits  contain  a  crisp,  juicy  pulp  of  delicious  flavor.  (Fig.  37) 


AN   AVENUE   OF   MANGO   TREES. 

These  trees,  which  are  growing  in  the  Botanic  Garden  at  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  are  said  to  have 
been  brought  from  India  over  a  century  ago.  The  trunks  have  been  hacked  to  induce  the  trees  to  fruit, 
a  practice  common  in  Brazil.  (Fig.  38) 


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IN   FLORIDA  157 

Fort  Myers.  All  except  the  last  have  yellow  blossoms  and  all 
are  sprawlers  and  may  be  made  to  grow  as  shrubs.  A.  wil- 
liamsi  is  a  half  climber  and  is  very  floriferous.  All  are  a  little 
tender  but  might  be  grown  well  up  the  state  if  a  mound  of  earth 
were  banked  around  their  stems  every  winter. 

Ampelopsis  veitchi  has  failed  with  me,  probably  on  account  of 
the  limy  soil.  It  should  be  hardy  over  the  whole  state. 

Antigonon  leptopus,  Mountain  Rose.  Probably  there  is  no 
more  intense  pink  color  anywhere  in  nature  than  in  the  flowers 
of  this  Mexican  vine.  It  has  hastate  leaves,  climbs  by  tendrils, 
and  the  flowers  in  compound  spikes  are  produced  through  the 
whole  year.  Many  years  ago  I  was  in  Port  au  Prince,  Haiti, 
and  seeing  for  the  first  time  this  glorious  vine,  which  grew  in 
great  magnificence,  I  was  anxious  to  know  its  name.  I  became 
acquainted  with  a  merchant  who  seemed  desirous  of  serving  me 
and  he  said  he  could  tell  me  the  names  of  any  trees  or  plants  I 
wanted  to  know.  So  I  took  him  to  where  a  fine  specimen  of  this 
was  in  full  bloom  and  asked  him  what  it  was.  He  struck  an 
attitude,  threw  up  both  hands  and  exclaimed  UO  that  iss  a 
flow-wer." 

Argyreia.  A  genus  of  handsome  vines  closely  related  to  Ipo- 
moea.  I.  tiliae/olia  has  large,  heart-shaped  leaves  that  are  sil- 
very silky  beneath,  and  attractive  rosy  purple  flowers.  In  A. 
cymosa  the  leaves  are  smaller  and  not  silvery  below.  They  are 
of  easy  culture  if  well  fertilized. 

Aristolochia,  Birthwort.  Many  species  in  temperate  to 
tropical  countries,  the  flowers  very  odd,  with  curved,  often  in- 
flated, sometimes  U-shaped  tubes.  In  A.  grandiflora  the  outline 
of  the  flower  is  something  like  that  of  a  bird ;  the  face  of  the  corolla 
is  variegated  with  lurid  purple  and  it  has  a  long,  twisted  tail.  It 
emits  a  terrible  odor  which  probably  attracts  insects  that  crawl 
down  its  throat  and  cannot  get  out  on  account  of  reversed  hairs 
in  it.  There  are  one  or  two  others  occasionally  cultivated  here, 
all  probably  natives  of  tropical  forests,  which  should  have  rich 
soil  and  shelter.  A.  sipho  is  a  hardy  species  which  would  proba- 
bly do  well  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 

Bauhinia  vahli  is  a  giant  vine  with  immense  cloven  leaves,  the 
Malu  of  the  lower  Himalaya  region.  It  runs  for  immense  dis- 


158  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

tances  among  and  over  the  trees  in  the  forest  and  has  great  clus- 
ters of  white  flowers.  I  have  a  young  vine  which  is  doing  well. 

Beaumontia  grandiflora  is  a  superb  vine  with  large,  white  fra- 
grant flowers,  which  has  been  successfully  cultivated  as  far  north 
as  Tampa.  Reasoner  says  that  it  is  grand  at  Oneco.  It  is  re- 
lated to  the  oleander. 

Bignonia.  A  genus  of  vines  containing  some  of  our  finest 
garden  ornaments.  B.  capreolata  and  var.  atrosanguinea  are 
hardy  all  over  the  state;  B.  Iweediana  is  a  delicate  vine  with 
yellow  flowers,  which  clings  by  adventive  roots  and  is  quite 
hardy;  B.  speciosa  is  a  grand  vine  with  glossy,  dark  leaves  and 
great  clusters  of  large,  purplish  flowers,  also  somewhat  hardy; 
B.  argyreo-violescens  has  its  leaves  elegantly  variegated  with 
purple;  B.  buccinatoria  from  Mexico  has  evergreen  leaves  and 
flowers  over  two  inches  across  and  four  in  length,  of  a  rich  blood 
color;  B.  venusta  bears  immense  clusters  of  fiery  orange,  long- 
tubed  flowers  in  late  winter  and  spring,  one  of  the  finest  garden 
ornaments  of  lower  Florida. 

Bougainvillea.  Sprawling  vines  with  simple  leaves  and  incon- 
spicuous flowers,  each  subtended  by  a  brilliant  bract;  when  in 
bloom  they  are  among  the  most  gorgeous  plants  in  cultivation. 
B.  glabra  and  var.  sanderiana  are  commonly  cultivated  and  are 
much  used  at  the  north.  B.  spectabilis  is  a  stronger  grower; 
both  have  dazzlingly  purple  bracts.  B.  lateritia  may  be  only  a 
variety  of  the  latter:  it  has  brick-red  bracts.  The  two  former 
are  grown  from  half  hardened  cuttings  or  layers  but  the  latter 
is  difficult  to  propagate.  There  are  those  who  disclaim  against 
these  gorgeous  colors  but  nature  has  made  them  and  on  occasion 
uses  them  lavishly  and  I  confess  I  am  barbarian  enough  to  admire 
them. 

Chlorocodon  whitei  is  a  strong  growing  vine  with  large,  opposite 
leaves  and  axillary  clusters  of  odd  flowers  which  is  easily  grown. 
Probably  tender. 

Cereus.  Several  species  are  scandent  and  are  cultivated  in 
South  Florida.  C.  grandiflorus  and  C.  nycticalus  are  a  good  deal 
alike,  having  angled,  spiny  stems  and  large  white  nocturnal  flow- 
ers, the  former  fragrant.  C.  triangularis  has  three-winged  stems 
and  immense  white,  nocturnal  blossoms.  C.  pitajaya  (?)  is  a 


IN   FLORIDA  159 

plant  common  in  the  forests  of  Cuba  where  it  grows  up  trees 
and  rocky  cliffs.  It  has  many-angled,  spiny  stems  and  bears 
white  or  purplish  nocturnal  flowers.  It  is  absolutely  at  home 
with  me. 

Caesalpinia  nuga  is  a  thorny  vine  with  sweet  scented  flowers 
that  is  doing  well  for  me. 

Cissus  discolor.  This  is  one  of  the  loveliest  of  tropical  vines 
when  well  grown.  It  is  a  delicate  plant,  requiring  shade,  mois- 
ture and  warmth,  without  all  which  conditions  it  will  not  flourish. 
It  would  be  a  fine  thing  to  grow  in  a  damp  hammock  "  Below  the 
Frost  Line,"  if  any  one  knows  where  that  is.  Its  oblong  cordate 
leaves  are  rich  purplish  red  beneath  and  are  variegated  dark 
green  and  silvery  above. 

Clematis.  C.  paniculata  is  a  vigorous  climber  with  dull  white, 
fragrant  flowers  that  seems  to  succeed  fairly  well  at  many  points 
in  the  state.  Pleas  reports  that  C.  henryi  and  C.  jackmani  do 
fairly  well  at  Chipley  and  a  few  others  do  reasonably  well  here 
and  there  through  the  state.  They  do  best  in  rich,  deep  soil 
and  are  impatient  of  drought. 

Clerodendron  thompsonae  is  a  half  vine  with  ovate  leaves  and 
panicles  of  flowers  having  a  white  calyx  and  a  deep  crimson  co- 
rolla, followed  by  shining  black  seeds.  After  the  corolla  falls  the 
calyx  turns  purple  and  it  often  happens  that  the  combination  of 
these  four  color§  is  seen  on  the  plant  at  once.  It  is  hardy  in 
Florida. 

Clianthus,  Glory  Pea.  Two  species  of  this  splendid  genus  of 
Australian  plants  have  been  grown  somewhat  in  the  north,  C. 
dampieri,  a  low,  half  climber  with  hoary  leaves  and  racemes  of 
strange  crimson  and  black  flowers,  and  C.  puniceus  which  has 
glabrous  foliage  and  plain  crimson  blossoms.  They  prefer  sandy 
soil  but  will  not  stand  transplanting;  it  is  even  difficult  to  shift 
them  from  one  pot  to  another  and  make  them  live,  so  it  would 
be  better  to  plant  the  seed  where  the  plants  are  to  stand.  They 
should  be  hardy  over  the  peninsula  at  least. 

Clitorea  ternatea  is  a  delicate  climber  with  pinnate  leaves  and 
large  pea-like  flowers  of  an  intense  dark  azure  with  white  and 
yellow  center.  There  is  a  white  flowered  variety.  When 


160  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

planted  on  pine  land  they  do  finely  with  plenty  of  water  and 
fertilizer.     They  are  quite  tender. 

Cobaea  scandens  is  a  rapid  climber  with  compound  leaves  and 
bell-shaped  greenish  purple  flowers,  which  comes  from  Mexico 
and  is  rather  tender.  Reasoner  tells  me  that  it  does  fairly  well 
at  Oneco. 

Combretum.  This  genus  contains  climbers  with  magnificent 
flowers  which  are  usually  arranged  in  one-sided  spikes.  C.  coc- 
cineum,  C.  grandiflorum  and  C.  laxiflorum  are  among  the  finest 
and  should  be  tried  in  the  warmest  part  of  the  state.  I  have 
several  times  imported  plants  but  they  have  reached  me  in  such 
condition  that  they  have  died. 

Cryptostegia  grandiflora  is  a  climber  from  Tropical  Africa  with 
opposite,  glossy,  oval  leaves  and  large,  pale  purple,  campanulate 
flowers.  C.  madagascariensis  has  reddish  leaves  and  pale  purple 
blossoms.  Both  do  exceedingly  well  here  and  are  very  handsome. 
The  milky  juice  of  these  vines  produces  caoutchouc. 

Dioscorea.  Tropical  vines  with  cordate  or  sagittate,  strongly 
ribbed  leaves  and  greenish  yellow  flowers  in  long  spikes.  They 
bear  curious  air  tubers  and  the  entire  plants  are  attractive, 
though  they  die  down  in  winter.  They  do  excellently  here. 

Dipladenia.  A  genus  of  very  handsome,  mostly  twining 
shrubs  which  grow  at  considerable  elevations  on  mountains  in 
tropical  South  America,  hence  they  will  probably  stand  some 
cold.  They  are  related  to  Allamanda  and  are  as  attractive  as 
are  the  members  of  that  genus.  They  should  be  tried  here  by 
all  means. 

Epipremnum  mirabile.  A  climbing  aroid  which  attaches  itself 
to  the  trunks  of  trees  by  air  roots  after  the  manner  of  the  Ceri- 
man.  At  first  the  leaves  are  lanceolate,  those  following  are 
broader,  later  ones  are  incised  on  one  side  and  the  final 'leaves 
are  deeply  incised  around  the  entire  border.  It  has  large  boat- 
shaped  spathes  and  is  close  to  Monstera.  I  have  two  fine  plants 
from  cuttings  sent  from  the  Philippines.  Tender,  no  doubt. 

Ficus.  This  polymorphus  genus  is  represented  by  several 
vines,  the  most  common  one  being  F.  repens.  This  clings  to 
trees  and  walls  with  its  adventive  roots  and  has  two  kinds  of 
growth;  the  commoner  one  with  closely  appressed  stems  and 


IN   FLORIDA  I6l 

small  one-sided  leaves;  a  second  which  has  larger  leaves,  grows 
out  free,  and  bears  fruit.  It  is  fine  for  covering  trees  or  walls 
and  will  stand  considerable  frost.  F.  villosa  is  a  stronger  grower 
with  larger  leaves.  F.  quercifolia  has  leaves  shaped  like  those  of 
an  oak. 

Gloriosa.  Climbing  plants  belonging  to  the  Lily  family,  cling- 
ing by  tendril-like  processes  at  the  ends  of  the  leaves  and  bearing 
in  summer  and  fall  elegant  lily-like  flowers.  G.  virescens  and 
G.  superba  are  cultivated  to  some  extent  in  this  state.  They  are 
from  the  Oriental  Tropics  but  as  they  die  down  in  the  fall  they 
may  probably  be  grown  over  most  of  Florida. 

Hedera  helix,  English  Ivy.  Too  well  known  to  need  descrip- 
tion; does  finely  in  the  northern  half  of  the  state. 

Hoya,  the  well-known  Wax  Plant,  has  not  done  well  for  me, 
and  others  who  have  tried  it  have  had  a  similar  experience. 

Ipomoea.  An  immense  genus,  mostly  climbers  and  generally 
known  as  morning  glories.  The  commonest  is  I.  purpurea,  cul- 
tivated widely  and  now  escaped  in  many  places  where  its  lovely 
purple  flowers  gladden  the  eye.  Another,  I.  quamodit,  the  Cy- 
press Vine,  has  dissected  leaves  and  scarlet  flowers.  One  of  the 
queens  of  the  genus  is  I.  horsfalliaewith  lobed  leaves  and  splendid 
rosy  crimson  flowers.  /.  tuberosa  has  five-  to  seven-lobed  leaves 
and  yellow  bloom;  I.  sidifolia  from  Cuba  has  clusters  of  white 
flowers  at  Christmas;  all  of  these  are  tropical. 

Jasminum,  Jessamine  or  Jasmine.  The  South  is  often  called 
"The  Land  of  the  Jessamine"  and  we  naturally  associate  these 
beautiful  and  fragrant  plants  with  home  life  throughout  the 
Southern  States.  All  do  well  in  Florida,  most  of  them  being 
more  or  less  hardy;  among  these  are  /.  simplicifolium,  J.  pu- 
bescens,  J.  officinale  and  /.  grandiflorum  with  white  flowers,  and 
/.  humile  and  /.  primulinum  with  yellow  blossoms.  /.  sambac, 
Arabian  Jessamine,  with  fragrant  white  flowers,  is  tender.  All 
of  these  are  sprawlers  but  may  be  grown  as  shrubs  by  proper 
trimming. 

Lonicera,  Honeysuckle."  A  few  species  do  well  in  the  cooler 
part  of  the  state  and  among  these  is  L.japonica  which  is  too  well 
known  to  need  comment. 


1 62  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Mandevillea  suaveolens  which  does  so  well  in  southern  Cali- 
fornia has  totally  failed  with  me  after  repeated  trials.  It  should 
be  somewhat  hardy. 

Mucuna  urens  and  other  species  called  Sea  Beans  have  been 
repeatedly  raised  in  lower  Florida  and  in  some  cases  grow  won- 
derfully and  bloom  and  bear,  but  they  have  been  short  lived  with 
me.  The  former  grows  wild  in  Nixon's  Hammock  in  lower  Bade 
County. 

Nepenthes,  Pitcher  Plant,  from  the  Oriental  Tropics.  Some 
of  these  strange  plants  are  vines  and  might  grow  in  damp  ham- 
mock in  the  extreme  lower  districts. 

Norantea  is  a  genus  of  superb  tropical  climbers  some  of  which 
might  succeed  in  hammocks  in  the  warmer  part  of  the  state. 

Passiflora,  Passion  Flower.  Several  species  do  well  in  various 
parts  of  Florida  besides  the  native  forms.  P.  quadrangularis, 
the  Granadilla,  is  a  strong  climber  and  has  succeeded  at  Miami. 
P.  princeps  has  lovely  red  flowers  and  there  are  a  number  of  other 
fine  species.  They  should  have  rich  soil  and  shelter.  The  above 
are  tropical  but  P.  caerulea  is  quite  hardy. 

Pellionia  daveauana  is  a  charming  trailer  with  oblong  unequal 
leaves  beautifully  variegated  with  light  green,  olive  and  bronze. 
It  is  a  native  of  Cochin  China  and  should  be  grown  in  a  moist, 
warm  place.  It  is  fine  for  fern  pools  in  the  lower  region. 

Pereskia  is  a  climbing  cactus  which  bears  leaves  and  fine  rosy 
flowers.  P.  aculeata  and  P.  bleo  are  in  my  grounds  and  do  well. 

Petrea  is  a  lovely  tender  vine,  very  difficult  to  propagate.  It 
bears  loose  spikes  of  exquisite  purple  flowers  in  late  winter  and 
spring  and  should  be  in  every  garden  where  the  climate  is  suitable 
for  it. 

Philodendron.  A  genus  of  noble  tropical  Aroids,  natives  of 
the  New  World,  most  of  which  are  scandent.  P.  lacerum  from 
Cuba,  the  other  West  Indian  islands  and  northern  South  America, 
has  large,  deeply  cleft  leaves;  P.  hederaceum  has  cordate  leaves; 
P.  verrucosum  has  cordate  leaves  variegated  in  bands  of  light 
and  dark  green ;  P.  giganteum  has  immense  cordate  leaves  twenty 
by  thirty  inches.  I  have  a  species  which  may  be  P.  erubescens 
with  elongated  leaves  more  than  a  foot  in  length,  rich  green  above 
and  deep  coppery  red  below.  All  of  the  above  and  several  others 


IN  FLORIDA  163 

are  doing  finely  with  me.     They  are  tender  and  should  be  grown 
in  a  moist,  shaded  place. 

Phyllocactus.  A  genus  of  flat-stemmed  cacti  of  which  C. 
latifrons  is  a  sprawler.  It  has  large  white  noctural  flowers  and 
is  epiphytic.  I  have  a  fine  plant  growing  on  a  live  oak  in  my 
hammock. 

Piper.  Pepper,  Black  Pepper.  One  of  the  species,  P.  futokad- 
sura,  has  been  tried  in  Florida  and  it  is  somewhat  hardy  as  it  is 
from  Japan;  P.  porphyrophyllum  is  a  beautiful  climber  with 
cordate  leaves  six  inches  long,  deep  bronzy  green  above  with 
numerous  pink  spots,  the  under  surface  dull  purple.  It  ought  to 
be  tried  in  lower  Florida  in  moist  hammock. 

Pithecoctenium  dematideum  and  P.  muricatum  are  allied  to  Big- 
nonia  and  have  white  or  whitish  flowers.  P.  aubleti  has  pale  rose 
flowers  and  large,  rough  pods  which  are  quite  striking.  I  have 
introduced  this  with  many  other  interesting  things  from  Cuba. 

Parana  paniculata  is  a  rapid  grower  with  small  white  flowers, 
related  to  the  morning  glories.  It  is  cultivated  by  Professor 
Nehrling  at  Gotha. 

Pothos.  Two  species  are  in  cultivation  here,  P.  aurea  being 
a  rampant  grower  with  large  cordate  leaves  often  fourteen  by 
eighteen  inches,  sometimes  lobed,  green,  streaked  and  splashed 
with  straw  color.  P.  argyraea  is  more  delicate  with  one-sided 
gray  green  leaves  spotted  white.  Both  climb  by  air  roots  and 
delight  in  warm,  moist,  shaded  places. 

Pueraria  thunbergiana,  Kudzu  Vine,  is  perfectly  hardy  and  is  a 
wonderfully  vigorous  grower  with  trifoliate  leaves  and  purple 
flowers.  It  should  succeed  all  over  the  state  and  is  valuable  for 
screens. 

Quisqualis  indica.  A  climbing  shrub  from  tropical  Asia  and 
Africa  with  opposite  leaves  and  clusters  of  rather  small  hand- 
some reddish  flowers  which  change  color  throughout  the  day. 
It  does  well  in  lower  Florida. 

Rosa,  The  Rose.     But  little  need  be  added  to  what  I  have 
already  said  of  this  genus.     Among  climbers  Cherokee,  Climb- 
ing Devoniensis,  Lamarck,  Macartney,  Marechal  Niel,  Ramona, 
Solfaterre  and  a  few  others  will  be  likely  to  do  well  in  Florida. 
12 


1 64  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Solandra  guttata  is  considerably  cultivated  in  lower  Florida 
and  is  a  sprawler  with  immensely  elongated  flowers  with  a  swollen, 
yellow,  purple-striped  tube.  I  have  never  seen  S.  grandiflora  in 
cultivation  but  presume  it  would  do  well  here. 

Solanum.  A  large  genus  containing  several  ornamental  vines. 
S.  seaforthianum  has  cut  leaves  and  clusters  of  rich  blue  flowers 
with  yellow  stamens.  It  bears  bright  red  berries  which  the 
mocking  birds  take  in  exchange  for  music  and  as  soon  as  this 
plant  is  established  on  one's  place  these  birds  scatter  the  seeds 
all  over  so  that  one  soon  has  these  charming  vines  everywhere. 
S.  wendlandi  is  a  much  stronger  grower,  climbing  high  by  means 
of  prickles  on  the  backs  of  the  leaves  and  on  the  stems.  Its 
flowers  are  of  considerable  size,  in  immense  clusters,  pale  blue 
with  yellowish  center.  A  large  vine  of  this  in  full  bloom  is  a 
sight  worth  going  a  long  way  to  see.  Both  are  of  easy  culture 
in  pine  or  hammock.  Both  are  from  the  American  Tropics  and 
are  tender. 

Stephanotis  floribunda  is  a  fine  hothouse  vine  from  Madagascar 
with  opposite,  thick,  elliptic  leaves  and  clusters  of  waxy,  fragrant 
white  flowers.  I  have  a  vine  in  the  edge  of  the  hammock  which 
has  climbed  to  the  top  of  a  live  oak  and  every  June  is  covered 
with  blossoms. 

Stigmaphyllum  ciliatum  is  a  delicate  vine  bearing  umbels  of 
large  golden  blossoms  with  fringed  petals  which  does  fairly  well 
with  me  but  would  stand  only  a  little  frost. 

Tecoma.  Handsome  climbers  or  shrubs  from  the  warmer 
parts  of  the  world,  having  pinnate  leaves  and  trumpet-shaped 
flowers;  commonly  called  Trumpet  vines.  T.  australis  is  an 
evergreen  climber  with  white  flowers;  in  T.  ricasolina  they  are 
pink,  striped  red;  T.  grandiflora  has  large  orange  scarlet  flowers, 
very  floriferous  and  showy;  T.  jasminoides  has  rosy  blossoms. 
All  of  these  are  hardy  throughout  most  of  the  state  and  are  among 
the  finest  of  garden  ornaments.  T.  capensis  from  South  Africa 
has  scarlet  flowers  borne  all  through  the  year  and  is  a  sprawler, 
but  can  be  grown  as  a  shrub.  It  is  also  quite  hardy.  All  the 
Tecomas  like  good  soil  and  plenty  of  feed,  though  they  grow  on 
pine  land.  Heavy  mulching  is  beneficial  and  nitrogenous  fertil- 
izer is  a  great  help. 


IN  FLORIDA  165 

Tacsonia  is  a  genus  of  climbers  closely  related  to  Passiflora. 
I  have  repeatedly  tried  them  and  have  failed  with  them.  They 
do  well  in  the  open  in  northern  California. 

Thunbergia.  There  are  quite  a  number  of  species  of  climbers 
in  this  genus,  all  deserving  of  culture.  T.  alata  is  grown  as  an 
annual  in  the  north  but  here  in  lower  Florida  and  the  tropics  it 
is  a  perennial.  Although  a  native  of  South  Africa  it  has  become 
naturalized  in  the  West  Indies.  There  are  three  varieties,  white, 
deep  buff  and  pale  yellow,  and  each  of  these  has  a  variation  with 
a  dark  throat.  When  once  established  in  one's  grounds  they  are 
likely  to  remain,  propagating  themselves  by  seeds.  T.  erecta  is 
a  sprawling  shrub  which  seems  to  like  partial  shade :  it  delights 
to  grow  up  among  other  shrubbery,  half  climbing  among  it.  T. 
grandiflora  and  T.  laurifolia  are  fine  vines  with  blue  flowers.  T. 
coccinea  has  scarlet  flowers  but  has  not  been  tried  here  to  my 
knowledge.  All  should  be  grown  in  lower  Florida. 

Vallaris  heynei  is  a  twining  shrub  with  smooth,  opposite  leaves 
and  pretty  white,  salver-shaped  flowers.  I  have  a  specimen  that 
has  climbed  to  the  top  of  a  tree  in  the  hammock  and  is  doing 
finely.  It  is  from  the  Oriental  Tropics. 

Trachelospermum  jasminoides,  Confederate  Jessamine.  A  fine 
twiner  with  abundant,  starry,  white  blossoms  that  are  deliciously 
fragrant.  Rabbits  are  so  fond  of  the  plants  that  it  has  been 
impossible  for  me  to  grow  it.  It  is  hardy  and,  I  think,  a  success 
generally  in  the  state. 

Wistaria.  A  few  species  do  well  in  the  cooler  parts  of  Florida. 
W.  brachybotra  and  var.  rubra,  W.  chinensis  and  var.  alba  are 
fine. 

Zebrina  pendula,  which  translated  means  the  old  Tradescantia 
zebrina  or  Wandering  Jew,  is  an  example  of  the  constant  changes 
of  names  in  the  books  apparently  for  no  purpose  whatever  but 
to  change,  and  which  keeps  the  student  constantly  confused.  It 
is  grown  all  over  the  country  and  in  South  Florida  frequently 
becomes  partly  established  in  moist  shady  places.  There  are  a 
couple  of  plain-leaved  forms  which  are  not  nearly  so  fine  as  the 
striped  variety.  They  are  tender. 


166  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 


HERBACEOUS  PLANTS. 

It  is  impossible  always  to  draw  the  line  between  shrubs  and 
herbaceous  plants,  just  as  the  line  cannot  be  always  marked 
between  shrubs  and  vines.  Many  things  that  are  ordinarily 
herbaceous  occasionally  become  woody. 

Acalypha.  A  genus  of  plants  containing  a  number  of  species 
or  varieties  with  richly  variegated  leaves.  The  names  are  in 
some  confusion  in  the  catalogues  so  that  it  is  sometimes  difficult 
to  understand  what  is  meant  and  the  descriptions  in  the  books 
are  too  brief  and  vague.  If  I  identify  A.  wilkesiana  correctly 
the  leaves  are  broadly  ovate  and  decidedly,  though  sometimes 
bluntly,  acuminate,  not  at  all  cordate,  but  often  one-sided  and 
contorted.  They  are  strongly  and  bluntly  serrate,  have  a  ground- 
work of  coppery  or  bronzy  green,  are  variegated  with  a  light  and 
dark  shade  of  red,  and  within  this  red  are  angular  flecks  or  mosaics 
of  the  groundwork.  Sometimes  a  whole  leaf  will  be  bronzy  red- 
dish or  greenish ;  in  fact  the  diversity  of  color  is  very  great.  A 
form  which  may  be  macafeana  has  leaves  which  are  sometimes 
almost  cordate;  they  are  broadly  ovate  and  acuminate  but  not 
so  drawn  out  as  in  the  last.  It  may  be  said  that  they  are  light 
red  blotched  with  bronzy  crimson  or  the  reverse,  and  sometimes 
the  bronzy  crimson  becomes  bronzy  green.  There  is  a  variety 
cultivated  here  with  large  cordate  leaves  which  are  usually  deep 
bronzy  red,  or  it  may  be  splashed  with  light  red,  or  the  whole 
leaf  may  be  the  latter  color.  This  may  be  triumphans.  A. 
marginata  has  green,  bronzy  or  reddish  green  leaves  bordered 
with  white  or  pink  and  A .  godseffiana  is  much  like  it  but  is  glossier. 
A  form  known  as  bicolor  compacta  has  green  leaves  bordered 
with  yellow  and  A .  miltoniana  has  similarly  marked  but  narrower 
and  lacerated  leaves.  A.  hispida  bears  long  spikes  of  close  set 
carmine  flowers.  All  are  from  the  East  Indian  region  and  are 
tender,  A.  marginata  being  hardiest.  These  are  the  poor  man's 
plants  in  lower  Florida  and  there  is  scarcely  a  home  here  that  is 
not  brightened  by  some  of  them. 

Achimenes.  Rather  delicate  plants  with  large  salver-shaped 
flowers  of  considerable  beauty  which  spring  from  scaly  tubers. 
They  make  their  growth  in  the  warm  season  and  during 


IN  FLORIDA  167 

winter  should  rest,  hence  it  is  probable  that  they  could  be  grown 
generally  over  the  state.  They  like  rich  soil,  moisture  and 
shelter. 

Agapanthus  umbellatus,  African  Lily.  A  fine  bulbous-rooted 
plant  from  the  Cape  region  of  Africa  which  bears  umbels  of  hand- 
some blue  flowers  in  spring  and  early  summer.  I  have  never 
succeeded  with  it  but  from  reports  it  seems  to  do  well  elsewhere 
in  the  state. 

Agave,  Century  Plant.  A  large  genus  of  striking  succulents 
wholly  from  the  warmer  parts  of  America.  In  the  north  they 
are  grown  in  pots  and  tubs  and  require  many  years  to  bloom  but 
here  they  often  blossom  at  four  or  five  years.  A  few  such  as 
A.  americana  sometimes  do  well  in  sheltered  places  to  the  north 
limit  of  the  state  while  A.  sisalina  is  quite  tender.  Both  are 
cultivated  in  lower  Florida  with  A.  salmiana,  A.  densiflora,  A. 
macracantha,  A.  filifera  and  others.  A.  victoriae-reginae  is  a 
gem.  The  flower  stems  should  be  cut  down  before  the  bulblets 
ripen,  otherwise  one's  whole  garden  will  become  overrun  with 
young  plants.  They  grow  in  pine  and  hammock  land. 

Ageratum.  Plants  cultivated  in  the  north  as  annuals  for  their 
heads  of  blue  or  white  flowers.  Here  they  sometimes  become 
established  in  grounds  and  take  care  of  themselves  and  are  usu- 
ally perennial. 

Alocasia.  Handsome  tropical  Aroids  which  require  plenty  of 
heat,  shade  and  moisture.  A.  macrorhiza  and  its  variegated 
variety  are  much  used  in  lower  Florida  for  tropical  effects,  the 
former  tolerating  some  sun;  A.  cuprea  has  lovely  dark  metallic 
leaves,  rich  purple  beneath;  A.  violacea  has  very  dark  leaves 
tinted  purple;  A.  sanderiana  has  deeply  lobed  leaves,  white  bor- 
dered and  veined.  They  make  a  fine  show  on  the  walls  of  fern 
pools. 

Aloe.  Succulent  plants  of  which  a  few  species  are  grown  in 
Florida.  Schnabel  reports  that  they  are  tender  at  Gainesville. 
A.  vera  is  the  most  commonly  grown  species  and  like  the  rest 
needs  a  dry,  sunny  situation. 

Alpinia.     Plants  belonging  to  the  Ginger  family,  of  which  a 

couple  of  species  are  sometimes  planted  in  Florida.     They  have 

ong,  lanceolate  leaves  and  terminal  spikes  of  odd  flowers.     A. 


168  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

nutans  is  a  tall,  rank  grower,  sometimes  fifteen  feet  high,  with 
great  clusters  of  fleshy  white,  yellow  and  orange  flowers;  A. 
mutica  has  white  and  yellow  blossoms  veined  with  brownish  red. 
They  will  grow  on  pine  land  but  do  better  on  rich,  moist  soil. 
Although  tropical  they  may  be  grown  where  sharp  frost  occurs. 

Alternanthera.  Small  plants  with  richly  variegated  foliage, 
much  used  in  the  north  for  borders.  Here  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  state  they  do  fairly  well  in  open  sunshine. 

Amaryllis.  Nearly  all  the  plants  formerly  belonging  here  are 
now  placed  in  other  genera.  One  species,  A.  belladonna,  has  not 
succeeded  with  Professor  Nehrling  at  Gotha  and  has  utterly 
failed  with  me. 

Ananas,  Pine  Apple.  The  variegated  variety  of  this  is  some- 
times cultivated  in  lower  Florida  and  is  a  beautiful  plant. 

Andropogon  schoenanthus  (Lemon  Grass)  is  a  handsome  trop- 
ical, decorative  plant,  forming  large  clumps;  its  leaves  yield  the 
well-known  citronella  oil. 

Angelonia  angustifolia  (allied  to  the  snapdragon)  is  a  pretty 
plant  with  spikes  of  purplish  or  blue  flowers.  It  is  a  native  of 
Mexico  and  is  becoming  naturalized  here.  It  grows  on  pine  land 
but  is  improved  by  liberal  feeding. 

Anthurium.  A  genus  of  splendid  Aroids,  some  of  which  are 
grown  for  their  handsome  flower  spathes  and  others  for  their 
showy  foliage.  A.  crassinervium,  perhaps  from  Cuba,  with 
immense  leaves  eighteen  inches  wide  and  four  feet  long,  does 
finely  here.  A.  crystallinum  and  A.  magnificum  have  velvety 
green  leaves  marked  with  silver.  A.  woroqueanum  has  very 
large  leaves  of  velvety  green  with  lighter  veins  and  midrib.  All 
need  heat,  moisture  and  shade;  the  first,  however,  sometimes 
grows  on  exposed  rocks.  They  are  fine  for  fern  pools. 

Antirrhinum,  Snapdragon.  Too  well  known  to  need  descrip- 
tion. They  do  well  in  the  cooler  part  of  the  state  and  in  the 
lower  part  may  be  grown  in  winter  as  annuals. 

Aphelandra.  Tropical  American  plants  with  opposite  leaves 
and  four-sided,  terminal  spikes  of  brilliant  flowers.  A.  roezeli  is 
dwarf  and  has  rich  orange  scarlet  blossoms.  This  grows,  blooms 
and  seeds  itself  on  the  walls  of  one  of  my  fern  pools  and  is  a  great 


IN  FLORIDA  169 

ornament.  There  are  other  fine  species  which  would  probably 
do  well  here. 

Aquatics.  Under  this  general  head  it  may  be  well  to  say  a  few 
words  about  such  as  do  well  in  Florida.  Cyperus  alterni- 
folius,  Umbrella  plant,  has  been  found  wild  in  Dade  County  and 
will  do  well  in  low  ground  anywhere  if  the  land  crabs  do  not  get 
too  friendly.  C.  papyrus  does  well  in  fresh  water  swamps  but 
has  failed  with  me  where  there  was  salt  in  the  soil.  Limnobium 
spongia  is  a  pretty  native  plant;  Limnocharis  humboldti,  Water 
Poppy,  is  a  handsome  plant  with  yellow,  poppy-like  flowers. 
The  Nuphars  and  Nymphaeas  are  among  our  most  desirable 
aquatic  ornaments  and  the  species  of  the  latter  now  offered  in 
the  catalogues  are  superb.  Nelumbium  is  another  magnificent 
genus  suitable  for  cultivation  in  the  state.  There  are  many 
other  desirable  aquatics  which  would  probably  grow  here  and  it 
is  likely  that  all  or  nearly  all  would  go  through  the  winters  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  state.  I  see  no  reason  why  the  great 
Victorias  should  not  succeed  here.  In  some  cases  aquatics  spread 
until  if  they  are  not  cleared  out  they  will  take  full  possession  and 
destroy  the  effect  they  were  intended  to  produce. 

Bambusa,  Bamboo.  It  is  hard  to  say  whether  these  should 
be  called  herbs  or  shrubs.  They  are  among  the  princes  of  the 
vegetable  kingdom  and  take  their  place  with  the  palms  as  glori- 
ously decorative  objects.  They  are  the  embodiment  of  grace  and 
elegance;  constantly  swaying  their  feathery  foliage  in  the  wind, 
they  are  often  so  ethereal  that  they  scarcely  seem  to  be  of  the 
earth.  I  never  tire  of  watching  the  bamboos  for  they  seem  not 
only  to  be  endowed  with  life,  but  to  be  animate  and  to  possess 
souls.  It  would  be  impossible  here  to  attempt  to  give  any  list 
of  the  species  that  have  been  grown  in  the  state.  Professor 
Nehrling  has  a  large  collection  of  them  at  Gotha  where  a  con- 
siderable number  of  species  do  well.  One  of  the  finest  and  hardi- 
est is  Dendro calamus  latifolius,  which  grows  in  great  tufts,  send- 
ing up  its  large  stems  to  a  height  of  seventy  feet  almost  as  straight 
as  arrows,  just  tipping  out  a  little  at  the  top  like  the  wonderful 
foliage  of  the  Cohune  Palm.  These  stems  are  clothed  with  deep 
green,  broad  leaves  nearly  a  foot  long  and  a  couple  of  inches  wide. 
At  one  time  when  I  visited  Professor  Nehrling  there  grew  a 


170  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

majestic  group  of  this  bamboo  at  the  corner  of  his  house.  The 
windows  of  my  upstairs  sleeping  chamber  opened  out  upon  it 
and  the  moon  was  at  the  full.  I  sat  for  hours  and  gazed  on  this 
wonderful  sight  and  worshipped.  It  was  a  thing  of  unearthly 
beauty,  a  vision  that  I  shall  carry  with  me  till  the  end  of  my  life. 
B.  argentea,  B.  disticha  and  B.  verticillata  are  fine  and  compara- 
tively hardy.  A  plant  sold  as  Phyllostachys  spinosa,  which 
Nehrling  says  is  Bambusa  arundinacea,  is  a  splendid,  wide-spread 
species. 

Begonia.  Too  widely  known  to  need  much  comment.  Some 
of  the  species  do  well  in  the  state  in  good  soil  and  sheltered,  half 
shaded  places.  They  do  nicely  on  the  walls  of  fern  pools  where 
there  is  shade  and  moisture.  They  are  subject  to  a  fungous 
disease  which  is  little  understood  and  are  also  subject  to  root 
knot.  B.  evansiana  is  quite  hardy  but  most  of  them  are  tender. 

Bryophyllum  calycinum  is  a  well-known  succulent  plant  with 
yellowish  red,  green  and  brown  flowers;  when  it  once  becomes 
established  it  will  take  care  of  itself  and  is  difficult  to  eradicate 
since  every  leaf  will  produce  a  number  of  plants.  Tender. 

Buddleia.  Ever  since  I  was  a  child  I  have  been  reading  about 
Buddleias  and  how  ornamental  they  were,  but  had  never  seen 
any  of  them.  Recently  I  obtained  a  couple  of  species,  B.  bra- 
ziliensis  with  spikes  of  minute,  dirty  yellow  flowers  and  rough, 
coarse  foliage  and  B.  hemsleyana  with  a  little  better  leaves,  and 
minute  bluish  blossoms.  Both  have  grown  fast  and  bloomed 
freely  but  neither  is  good  enough  to  be  called  a  low  grade  weed. 

Caladium.  Jared  Smith  believes  that  most  of  our  cultivated 
plants  are  forms  of  C.  picturatum  and  C.  bicolor.  There  are 
many  hundreds  of  named  varieties  in  cultivation  and  no  words 
can  adequately  describe  the  beauty  of  a  large  collection  such  as 
that  of  Professor  Nehrling  at  Gotha.  They  die  down  in  winter 
in  our  climate,  though  in  Haiti  they  are  in  full  glory  all  through 
this  season.  There  is  every  conceivable  shading  and  patterning 
of  green,  white,  red,  pink  and  yellow  and  an  acre  of  these  in  their 
glory  is  a  sight  never  to  be  forgotten.  C.  roezeli  is  probably  a 
distinct  species  with  deep  green  leaves  and  irregular  gray,  yellow- 
ish green  and  white  spots.  They  all  do  best  in  rich  moist  ground 
in  partial  shade. 


IN    FLORIDA  171 

Calathea.  The  species  of  this  genus  are  ordinarily  called 
Marantas  and  differ  only  in  technical  characters.  The  leaves 
are  marked  with  shades  of  green,  red,  brown,  yellow  and  white. 
C.  zebrina,  well  known,  has  leaves  purple  beneath  and  alternating 
bars  of  light  and  pale  green  above.  C.  veitchi  is  very  beautiful. 
They  require  shade,  heat  and  moisture  and  are  fine  for  fern  pools. 

Calceolaria.  These  have  beautiful,  odd  flowers  and  are  much 
cultivated  in  England  but  are  rather  delicate  and  should  be  tried 
in  a  sheltered  place.  They  cannot  stand  our  hot  sun  and  there- 
fore need  some  shade  and  plenty  of  moisture.  They  should  have 
rich  soil  and  they  will  stand  some  frost. 

Carludovica  palmata  and  a  few  other  species  are  the  plants 
whose  leaves  are  used  in  making  Panama  hats.  They  are  hand- 
some, stemless,  palmlike  plants  from  Middle  America  and  there- 
fore tender.  They  can  only  be  grown  out  of  doors  in  the  warmer 
part  of  the  state  in  a  sheltered,  half  shaded  location.  In  such  a 
place  I  have  a  nice  plant  of  C.  palmata. 

Cereus.  I  have  had  plants  of  a  number  of  upright  growing 
Cerei  but  have  had  no  success  with  them. 

Chrysanthemum.  Everybody  knows  Chrysanthemums,  or 
"  Mums"  as  they  are  often  called.  They  do  well  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  state,  but  as  far  as  I  can  learn  they  are  not  generally 
a  success  in  the  more  tropical  part  of  it.  Some  of  the  dwarfs 
do  fairly  well  here  in  hammock  soil. 

Clerodendron  squamatum.  Several  years  ago  I  brought  seed 
of  this  from  Cuba  and  it  has  done  very  well.  The  leaves  are 
large,  cordate  and  velvety;  the  great  panicles  of  scarlet  flowers 
open  the  whole  year  through.  It  should  be  well  fertilized. 

Coleus.  Nothing  that  we  grow  has  more  gorgeously  colored 
foliage  than  the  Coleus  and  nothing  could  be  more  at  home  here 
if  it  were  not  for  the  root  knot,  which  is  very  destructive  to  them. 
They  are  rather  short  lived  and  need  to  be  renewed  occasionally 
by  means  of  cuttings.  These  can  be  rooted  with  the  greatest 
ease  in  summer  and  when  ready  to  set  out  should  be  put  where 
none  has  been  planted  for  several  years,  in  order  to  avoid  the 
root  knot.  In  case  choice  specimens  are  attacked  with  this 
cut  off  the  tops  and  make  cuttings  of  them,  which  will  be  healthy; 
then  dig  up  and  burn  the  old  plants. 


172  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

Colocasia  antiquorum  is  the  name  just  now  in  favor  for  the  well- 
known  Elephant's  Ear,  though  it  has  gone  under  a  variety  of 
names.  It  does  not  always  do  well  on  pine  land  but  succeeds 
better  in  hammock;  all  the  better  if  it  is  damp.  It  needs  plenty 
of  feed. 

Convallaria,  Lily  of  the  Valley.  This  does  not  seem  to  be  a 
success  generally  in  the  state. 

Cordyline.  Some  of  these  plants  become  somewhat  shrubby 
with  age.  I  do  not  think  they  are  a  complete  success  in  Florida 
as  they  prefer  a  strong,  clayey  soil.  In  Cuba  they  are  perfectly 
at  home  and  probably  would  succeed  here  in  such  ground.  Some 
of  the  species  are  still  classed  under  the  old  name  of  Dracaena. 
C.  indivisa,  C.  australis  and  C.  terminalis  are  placed  here. 

Crassulas  and  Echeverias  are  fine  succulents  which  fail  with 
me  on  account  of  root  knot. 

Crinum.  Bulbous  plants  which  seem  peculiarly  adapted  to 
the  sandy  soil  of  Florida  and  which  succeed  all  over  the  state. 
C.  longifoUum  and  C.  moorei  are  very  hardy  and  bloom  all  sum- 
mer. C.  asiaticum  is  a  large  plant  with  narrow  petalled  white 
flowers,  C.  pedunculatum  is  something  like  it,  C.  scabrum  has  long, 
slender  leaves  and  large  drooping  white  flowers  striped  red,  C. 
amabile  is  one  of  the  finest,  an  immense  plant  with  a  large,  long- 
necked  bulb  and  an  umbel  of  twenty  to  thirty  purplish  red  flowers, 
much  cultivated  here.  There  are  a  number  of  other  desirable 
forms,  all  of  which  do  well  with  us.  They  do  best  in  rich,  slightly 
damp  soil;  if  they  were  shaded  at  blooming  time  it  would  keep 
the  flowers  in  perfection  much  longer. 

Crossandra  undulaefolia.  Notwithstanding  its  long  name  this 
is  really  a  very  attractive  plant,  with  opposite,  shining  leaves 
and  heads  of  rich  orange  salmon  flowers  freely  borne.  It  does 
well  on  good  pine  land  but  is  tender. 

Cuphea.  Half  shrubby,  half  herbaceous  plants  the  commonest 
of  which  is  C.  ignea  or  platy centra.  It  is  a  neat  little  plant  which 
constantly  bears  its  tubular  red  flowers  tipped  with  black  and 
white.  It  does  well  in  pots  and  for  a  while  in  good  soil  out  of 
doors  but  is  short  lived  with  me.  There  is  another  species, 
C.  microphylla,  which  is  sometimes  cultivated  here.  They  are 
tender. 


IN   FLORIDA  173 

Curculigo  recurvata  is  a  plant  whose  leaves  resemble  those  of  a 
young  palm.  It  does  well  in  good  soil  but  is  tender. 

Curcuma.  Two  or  three  species  of  this  genus  which  have 
flowers  in  close  heads  do  well  here  in  rich,  moist  ground.  They 
are  probably  tender. 

Cyanophyllum  magnificum.  A  plant  from  tropical  Mexico  with 
magnificent,  large  leaves  which  are  richly  colored,  might  grow  in 
moist  hammock  in  the  most  tropical  part  of  the  state.  It  should 
be  tried. 

Dahlia.  Reports  from  the  northern  part  of  the  state  show 
that  Dahlias  do  well  there  but  further  south  they  do  not  seem 
to  succeed.  In  this  region  they  are  occasionally  cultivated  in 
rich  soil. 

Daedalocanthus  nervosus  is  a  profusely  blooming  plant  which 
does  excellently  here,  where  it  should  be  cut  back  to  the  base  of 
the  stems  when  it  is  done  flowering.  All  winter  it  bears  spikes  of 
rich  blue  flowers  in  great  abundance  and  should  be  well  fertilized 
to  keep  it  in  good  condition.  It  is  tender. 

Datura.  Strong  growing  plants,  often  strong  smelling,  which 
bear  very  large  white,  yellow  or  purple  funnel-shaped  flowers, 
single  or  double.  They  are  tender  plants  which  ordinarily  do 
well  in  good  moist  soil,  but  they  are  subject  to  root  knot. 

Dianthus.  A  crimson  flowered  carnation  often  does  well  here 
but  is  subject  to  a  blight  which  generally  kills  it.  The  Chinese 
pinks  succeed  as  annuals  in  winter.  I  should  think  that  the 
pinks  would  do  finely  in  the  cooler  part  of  the  state  as  they  would 
be  hardy. 

Dieffenbachia.  A  genus  of  Aroids  with  superbly  variegated 
leaves,  natives  of  Central  and  South  America.  Their  juice  is 
extremely  acrid  and  is  said  to  produce  speechlessness,  and  not 
only  that  but  swelling  of  the  throat  and  burning  agony  for  hours, 
hence  the  native  name  "Dumb  Cane."  I  planted  a  number  of 
these  in  the  edge  of  my  brackish  swamp,  confident  that  the  land 
crabs  would  not  dare  to  touch  them  or  if  they  did  their  careers 
would  be  ended,  but  not  the  slightest  injury  came  to  them. 
They  munched  my  beautiful  plants  as  cheerfully  as  a  horse 
would  oats  and  even  dug  up  and  devoured  the  roots.  They 


174  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

grow  along  streams  and  wet  places  in  shade  and  are  so  tender 
I  can  scarcely  get  them  through  the  winter. 

Dioon.  A  magnificent  Mexican  Cycad  with  a  great  crown  of 
long,  flat,  pinnatifid  leaves  of  a  rich,  attractive  green.  It  is  a 
member  of  a  once  noble  family  that  is  now  nearly  extinct.  It 
has  a  stiff,  formal  appearance  and  is  appropriate  for  planting 
near  dwellings.  It  will  stand  quite  a  little  cold. 

Dracaena.  D.  draco,  the  Dragon's  Blood  Tree  of  the  Canaries, 
does  well  for  me  in  pots  but  not  in  the  open.  D.  fragrans  partly 
succeeds  in  rich  soil  out  of  doors,  D.  godseffiana  is  doing  well  in 
partial  shade,  D.  goldieana  and  D.  sanderiana  grow  nicely  in  pots 
but  not  outside. 

Echinocactus.  So  far  as  my  experience  goes  none  of  these,  the 
Mamillarias,  Echinocereus  or  Melocactus  do  well  here.  A  large 
number  of  the  latter  were  brought  from  the  Bahamas  some  years 
ago  and  planted  in  the  grounds  of  the  Ro}'al  Palm  Hotel  at  Miami 
but  they  have  not  taken  hold.  A  few  of  the  Opuntias  succeed 
here  more  or  less. 

Encephalartos.  Magnificent  Cycads  with  long  leaves,  from 
tropical  South  Africa.  They  are  expensive  plants  and  I  have 
never  tried  them. 

Eucharis  amazonica  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  herbaceous 
plants  we  grow  in  South.  Florida.  It  is  doing  fairly  well  in  the 
edge  of  the  hammock.  The  lubber  grasshoppers  do  not  seem  to 
know  whether  they  prefer  this  or  the  Crinums  but  they  generally 
manage  to  get  both. 

Euphorbia.  I  have  never  been  able  to  make  any  of  the  succu- 
lent species  do  any  good.  E.  jacquiniflora  is  a  fine  half  shrubby 
form,  beautiful  but  very  tender. 

Fittonia.  Two  species,  F.  argyroneura  with  elliptical  leaves 
netted  with  silver  veins  and  F.  verschaffelti  with  similar  shaped 
leaves  netted  with  coppery  red,  are  cultivated.  They  require 
heat,  shade  and  moisture  and  are  fine  for  ferneries. 

Furcraea.  Succulent  plants  resembling  Agaves  but  the  flowers 
are  more  showy.  F.  cubensis  has  green  leaves;  F.  gigantea,  F. 
tuber  osa,  F.  beddinghausi  and  F.  pubescens  are  fine.  F.  lindeni 
is  a  splendid  plant  of  great  size  with  striped  leaves.  All  are  from 
tropical  America  and  are  tender  except  F.  longaeva. 


IN   FLORIDA  175 

Geranium.     See  Pelargonium. 

Gesnera.  A  genus  of  lovely  plants  from  the  American  Tropics, 
all  of  which  need  a  moist  atmosphere  and  shade.  They  might 
do  in  fern  pools. 

Gladiolus.  Summer  flowering  plants,  mostly  from  South 
Africa,  the  roots  being  corms.  MacLaren  at  Fernandina  and 
Pleas  at  Chipley  report  success  with  them.  Here  they  are  not 
very  successful. 

Gloxinia.  Beautiful,  delicate  plants  allied  to  Gesnera  and 
requiring  the  same  treatment.  It  is  probable  that  they  would 
grow  in  ferneries  and  on  the  walls  of  fern  pools.  It  would  be 
well  to  dig  up  the  tubers  of  both  genera  when  the  plants  die  down 
and  keep  them  rather  dry  during  winter. 

Gynerium  or  Pampas  Grass  is  now  Cortaderia  argentea.  It 
does  well  in  the  upper  part  of  the  state  but  I  doubt  if  it  will 
flourish  here. 

Gynura,  Velvet  Plant.  A  sort  of  second-rate  plant,,  one  of  the 
kind  you  put  in  an  out-of-the-way  corner  where  you  don't  want 
to  put  anything  else.  Its  leaves  are  covered  with  velvety  purple 
hairs  and  it  has  tassel-like,  yellow  flowers;  one  of  the  things  that 
are  hardly  worth  keeping  and  yet  just  a  little  too  good  to  throw 
away. 

Hedychium  coronarium,  also  H.  gardnerianum.  Garland 
Flowers.  They  are  fine,  tall  plants  with  canna-like  leaves  and 
handsome  flowers,  the  former  white,  the  latter  yellow.  Both  are 
from  India  and  like  rich,  damp  ground.  The  latter  is  the  hardier 
of  the  two. 

Heliconia.  Plants  allied  to  the  bananas,  with  slender  stems 
and  curious  flowers  borne  in  spathes.  There  are  three  or  four 
species  grown  of  which  H.  bihai  is  best  known.  They  should 
have  rich  soil,  moisture  and  shade. 

Heliotropium.  The  well  known  Heliotrope.  Old  plants  of 
this  become  half  shrubby  and  when  they  do  well  attain  consid- 
erable size.  I  once  had  one  reach  a  height  of  six  feet  here  but 
generally  they  do  no  good. 

Hemigraphis  colorata  is  a  pretty  plant  with  purple  leaves  but 
is  so  tender  that  I  can  hardly  carry  it  through  the  winter. 


176  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

Hippeastrum,  formerly  Amaryllis.  Glorious  bulbous  plants 
that  generally  do  well  in  Florida.  They  grow  best  in  rich,  damp 
soil  but  succeed  somewhat  in  good  pine  land  with  plenty  of 
fertilizer  and  mulching.  Nehrling  raises  his  wonderful  hybrids 
at  Gotha  under  slats  in  the  rich,  moist  border  of  a  lake.  They 
are  superb,  and  H.  johnsoni,  H.  equestre  and  H.  reginae  are  also 
fine. 

Hemerocallis^yellow  day  lilies,  are  old  favorites  in  the  north 
and  do  well  in  all  but  the  warmest  part  of  the  state.  So  do  the 
Funkias. 

Hyacinths  which  generally  flourish  throughout  the  south  are 
reported  as  doing  finely  at  Chipley  by  Pleas  and  at  Fernandina 
by  MacLaren  but  Schnabel  says  they  fail  at  Gainesville  and 
Reasoner  makes  a  like  report  for  Oneco. 

Impatiens  sultani  and  its  varieties  are  beautiful  flower- 
ing plants  which  do  fairly  well  in  rich  soil  in  lower  Florida  but  are 
especially  subject  to  root  knot.  I  have  seen  splendid  specimens 
at  Rita  on  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Okeechobee.  When  troubled 
with  root  knot  make  cuttings  of  the  tops  and  burn  the  roots. 

Iresine  or  Achyranthes  are  well-known  plants  with  highly 
colored  leaves,  much  grown  at  the  north  for  bedding.  They  do 
fairly  well  here  in  good  soil,  especially  when  they  are  irrigated, 
but  they  are  subject  to  root  knot. 

Iris  do  better  in  the  cooler  part  of  the  state  than  in  the  lower 
end.  Pleas  states  that  they  succeed  at  Chipley.  There  is  a 
fine  lot,  probably  /.  hexagona,  at  Cocoanut  Grove. 

Jacobinia.  The  species  of  this  and  allied  genera  are  in  a  sad 
muddle  and  names  are  all  mixed  up.  /.  magnified  is  probably 
the  old  Justicia  carnea.  J.  velutina  is  much  like  it  but  the  leaves 
are  velvety.  The  plant  sold  by  the  name  of  J.  coccinea  in  Florida 
is  not  that.  I  haven't  the  literature  to  straighten  out  the  tangle 
of  the  family  Acanthaceae.  There  are  several  plants  cultivated 
in  Florida  belonging  to  this  family  that  I  can  not  name. 

Jatropha  multifida  is  a  fine  plant  with  palmate,  dissected  leaves, 
cut  something  like  those-of  a  rose  Geranium,  and  cymes  of  vivid, 
coral-like  crimson  flowers.  J.  curcas,  French  Physic  Nut,  is  a 
soft-wooded  plant,  sometimes  almost  tree-like,  which  has  or- 
namental foliage.  The  fruit  is  very  poisonous. 


l 


"*  rt 

Q 

1| 

«  § 

^8 


§>, 
a 


A    CUBAN   AIR   PLANT. 

An  immense  epiphyte  from  Cuba,  probably  a  Hohenbergia,  growing  at  The  Sentinels, 
this  photograph  was  taken  the  plant  has  flowered.     (Fig.  41) 


Since 


PHYLLOSTACHYS  PUBESCENS. 

A  group  of  the  giant  timber  bamboo  of  Japan,  at  Bakersfield,  California.  It  covers  several 
hundred  square  feet  and  originated  about  fourteen  years  ago  from  a  single  plant  which  the 
owner,  Dr.  William  Tevis,  bought  of  a  Japanese  gardener.  The  culms  are  over  fifty  feet 
high.  (Fig.  42) 


IN   FLORIDA  177 

Justicia.  The  books  are  so  much  at  sea  about  this  genus  that 
I  cannot  do  anything  with  it. 

Lantanas  are  bedded  out  in  the  north  to  some  extent  and  are 
perfectly  at  home  in  Florida,  at  least  throughout  the  lower  half 
of  it.  There  is  a  considerable  range  of  color,  white,  yellow, 
orange,  pink,  purple  and  red,  with  various  combinations  of  these. 
They  are  at  their  best  in  good  pine  land  in  full  sunshine  if  well 
fertilized. 

Leonotis  leonurus  has  loose  whorls  of  orange  scarlet,  tubular 
flowers  in  long  spikes,  is  a  quick  grower  and  blooms  at  intervals 
throughout  the  year.  It  is  quite  hardy  and  is  one  of  our  most 
desirable  plants. 

Lilium.  Nehrling,  who  has  had  large  experience  with  bulbous 
plants  in  Florida,  does  not  report  favorably  on  most  of  the  species, 
and  those  with  which  he  has  succeeded  require  such  careful 
treatment  that  it  is  doubtful  if  they  will  ever  become  popular 
with  us.  He  recommends  L.  henryi,  bearing  orange  yellow 
flowers,  as  one  of  the  best  for  Florida.  He  has  also  found  some 
of  the  funnel-flowered  lilies  which  flourish  with  proper  treatment, 
such  as  L.  neilgherrense,  L.  sulphur eum  and  L.  nepalense.  He 
recommends  that  a  bed  three  feet  wide  be  dug,  that  old  logs  be 
put  in  the  bottom  and  the  rest  filled  with  muck,  leaf  mold,  cow 
manure  and  charcoal.  It  should  be  kept  well  watered. 

Maranta.  Closely  allied  to  Calathea  and  requiring  the  same 
treatment. 

Musa.  Besides  the  fruiting  species  a  number  of  strictly 
ornamental  ones  are  in  cultivation  in  the  north.  I  have  tried 
most  of  them  here  repeatedly  and  nearly  all  have  failed.  M. 
rhodochlamys  is  a  fine,  upright  grower  and  does  well,  so  do  M. 
martini  and  M.  gilletti.  M.  ensete,  the  great  Abyssinian  Banana, 
has  entirely  failed  in  repeated  trials.  The  same  is  true  of  M. 
rosacea,  M.  sumatrana,  M.  vittata,  M.  superba,  M.  coccinea  and 
M.  textilis.  Like  all  other  bananas  the  ornamental  species  need 
rich  soil,  heat  and  moisture. 

Nipa  fruticans.  I  have  planted  a  number  of  seeds  of  this 
superb  plant,  which  closely  resembles  a  palm,  in  my  brackish 
swamp  but  it  would  require  all  the  police  on  the  New  York  force 
to  keep  the  land  crabs  from  destroying  the  young  plants.  I  put 


178  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

stakes  closely  around  them  but  they  climbed  up  and  got  over,  I 
made  them  higher  but  they  tunnelled  under  like  Andersonville 
prisoners.  I  put  barrels  with  both  heads  knocked  out  over  them, 
thinking  that  if  they  didn't  see  the  plants  they  wouldn't  be 
tempted  but  I  learned  that  a  land  crab  doesn't  need  temptation 
to  lead  him  into  evil:  they  tunnelled  under  and  came  up  inside 
just  the  same.  I  have  two  plants  left  for  which  I  have  hope  but 
not  confidence.  This  plant  ought  to  do  well  in  low  ground  in 
lower  Florida  that  is  free  from  crabs  and  it  is  certainly  a  superb 
ornamental.  / 

Oxalis.  There  are  a  number  of  species  in  this  genus  and  some 
of  them  are  quite  ornamental.  Several  of  them  ought  to  do  well 
in  the  cooler  part  of  the  state  but  they  have  not  entirely  succeeded 
with  me.  Those  that  grow  well  are  shy  bloomers. 

Panax.  Ornamental  leaved  plants,  sometimes  half  shrubby,  a 
number  of  which  do  well  in  the  warmer  part  of  Florida.  They 
generally  have  delicate,  often  cut  leaves,  sometimes  like  those  of 
ferns.  P.  aureum  has  leaves  with  yellow  and  greenish  markings ; 
P.  victoriae  is  marked  with  green  and  white;  P.  plumatum  and 
P.  excelsum  have  fern-like  foliage.  They  are  all  tender  and,  I 
think,  do  better  with  shelter  and  a  little  shade. 

Pandanus,  Screw  Pine.  I  write  the  name  Pandanus  with  a 
good  deal  of  satisfaction  for  the  genus  is  a  superb  one  and  com- 
pletely at  home  in  the  more  tropical  part  of  the  state.  This  is 
especially  true  of  the  limestone  region  of  Dade  County.  They 
are  all  natives  of  the  tropics,  mostly  the  Malay  Archipelago. 
They  have  long,  folded  leaves  which  are  generally  spinose,  and 
they  are  arranged  along  the  stems  in  spirals.  P.  baptisti  forms 
immense  clusters  and  has  long  spineless  leaves  which  are  ele- 
gantly striped  with  yellowish.  I  have  in  my  back  yard  a  plant 
fifteen  feet  high  and  thirty  feet  across  that  has  never  had  any 
fertilizer  or  care,  this  in  ordinary  pine  land.  It  resembles  a 
gigantic  clump  of  ribbon  grass.  P.  sanderi  does  finely  here  and 
holds  its  coloring  better  than  P.  veitchi.  P.  candelabrum,  the 
striped  variety,  is  fine  but  tender.  P.  odoratissimus  has  slender, 
recurved  leaves  and  fragrant  flowers.  P.  utilis  forms  such  a 
trunk  that  it  is  tree-like  and  makes  one  of  the  most  striking 
plants  we  grow,  its  immense  heads  of  seed  being  seven  or  eight 


IN  FLORIDA  179 

inches  in  diameter.  P.  pacificus  has  beautiful  broad,  bright 
green  leaves  and  is  a  superb  plant  but  being  one  of  the  tenderest 
things  we  cultivate,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  winter  it  here  in  the 
open.  There  are  several  others  in  my  collection,  all  of  which  do- 
well. 

Panicum  excurrens  is  a  grand,  broad-leaved  grass  whose  foliage 
resembles  the  first  leaves  of  some  of  the  palms. 

Pedilanthus  tithymaloides  has  bright  red  shoe-shaped  flowers 
and  will  grow  without  attention  in  lower  Florida. 

Pelargonium.  This  includes  all  the  so-called  Geraniums,  few 
of  which  really  do  well  out  of  doors  in  Florida.  The  scented 
species,  however,  grow  better  than  those  in  the  zonale  section. 

Peperomia.  These  charming  plants  do  well  in  pots  or  damp, 
shaded  spots,  such  as  the  banks  of  fern  pools.  I  once  grew  a  fine 
plant  on  a  live  oak  in  the  hammock.  It  is  probable  that  the  species 
are  epiphytic. 

Phlox.  The  perennial  species  succeed  in  some  places  in  north- 
ern Florida  and  fail  in  others. 

Phormium,  New  Zealand  Flax.  I  have  tried  several  species 
repeatedly  in  different  locations  and  they  have  invariably  failed. 
Schnabel  reports  that  they  are  tender  at  Gainesville. 

Phytelephas,  Ivory  Nut  Palm.  Not  a  true  palm  but  much 
resembling  one.  I  have  had  several  of  these  which  are  at  home  ia 
pots  but  not  in  the  open. 

Pilea.  Pretty  little  plants  with  watery  stems  and  neat  foliage. 
Good  in  a  damp,  shady  place. 

Pleroma.  This  plant  has  magnificent  purple  flowers,  is  from 
Brazil  and  is  probably  tender.  It  does  not  do  well  on  the  lime- 
stone soil  but  flourishes  with  Reasoner  at  Oneco. 

Ravenala  madagascariensis,  Traveller's  Tree.  A  glorious  plant 
which  forms  a  stem  often  twenty  feet  high,  but  constantly  throws- 
up  suckers  so  that,  unless  they  are  cut  out,  it  becomes  a  great 
clump  of  immense  foliage.  It  is  related  to  the  banana  and  prob- 
ably has  the  largest  entire  leaves  of  any  plant  grown.  Many  of 
those  here  are  three  feet  wide  and  nine  feet  long  and  with  the  great 
stem  reach  a  height  of  twenty  feet.  A  time-honored  story  has 
it  that  this  tree  grows  in  the  desert  and  that  the  perishing  trav- 
eller may  pierce  the  bases  of  its  leaves  and  obtain  water.  Ellis 

13 


ISO  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

states  that  it  grows  in  damp  places  where  water  is  abundant  so 
there  is  no  need  to  get  water  from  it.  Thus  perishes  another 
cherished  legend.  R.  guianensis  from  tropical  South  America  is 
a  smaller  plant.  It  is  doing  finely  for  me.  They  are  among  the 
most  striking  plant  productions  of  the  world. 

Rhoeo  discolor.  A  hothouse  herb  from  Central  America  with 
rather  large,  long,  sheathing  leaves  which  are  crowded  on  the 
short  stem.  They  are  deep,  metallic  green  above,  bright  purple 
below,  are  fine  for  rockeries,  and  may  be  grown  in  sunshine  or 
partial  shade.  It  is  tender. 

Richardia,  Calla  lilies.  These  are  cultivated  more  or  less 
throughout  the  state,  often  as  pot  plants  and  occasionally  in  the 
open  as  far  south  as  Little  River. 

Ruellia.  R.  formosa  is  an  old  favorite  at  the  north,  and  here 
it  would  probably  flourish  out  of  doors  in  a  partly  shaded  place 
in  good  soil.  I  have  long  grown  it  here  in  pots  for  its  pretty 
scarlet,  funnel-shaped  blossoms.  R.  makoyana  has  prettily 
variegated  leaves  and  carmine  flowers, — give  it  a  moist,  shaded 
place. 

Russelia  juncea  is  so  perfectly  at  home  in  this  vicinity  that  it  is 
running  wild  in  places.  It  bears  quantities  of  bright  scarlet, 
tubular  flowers  all  the  year.  It  is  a  native  of  Mexico  and  is 
tender  but  if  cut  down  with  frost  would  spring  up  again. 

Sanchezia  nobilis  is  a  noble  plant  from  Ecuador,  with  large, 
shining  leaves.  The  variety  glaucophylla  has  pale  yellow 
margins  along  the  veins  and  midrib.  The  flowers  are  attractive 
enough  to  make  it  one  of  our  most  showy  plants  but  it  is  very- 
tender. 

Sanseviera.  Attractive  plants  with  thick  and  long  radical 
leaves  which  are  variegated  with  white  or  yellowish.  They  all 
increase  by  underground  suckers  with  such  rapidity  that  if  once 
turned  loose  they  soon  take  possession.  It  is  better  to  grow  them 
in  pots. 

Saxifraga  sarmentosa.  Who  among  the  old  time  cultivators  of 
house  plants  does  not  remember  the  dear  "Strawberry  Geranium" 
which  was  grown  as  a  basket  plant?  It  is  somewhat  hardy  but 
has  invariably  failed  with  me.  I  presume  it  dislikes  the  lime  in 
the  soil. 


IN  FLORIDA  I8l 

Schismato glottis.  Handsome  Aroids  which  prosper  with  me, 
either  in  a  slat  house  or  fern  pool.  The  only  thing  to  do  is  to 
give  shade  and  moisture  and  keep  them  from  frost. 

Selaginellas  are  delicate  plants  requiring  shade  and  moisture. 
They  are  fine  for  ferneries. 

Sericographis.  Plants  of  what  are  probably  S.  pauciflora, 
grow  about  here  occasionally;  they  have  opposite,  lanceolate 
leaves  and  orange  scarlet,  deeply  cleft  flowers.  It  is  a  tender 
plant  which  likes  moist,  rich  ground. 

Strelitzia,  Bird  of  Paradise  Flower.  A  small  genus  of  noble 
and  striking  plants  from  South  Africa.  They  have  long  leaves 
arranged  distichously  and  very  curious,  bird-like  flowers  devel- 
oped from  a  spathe.  S.  reginae  grows  to  a  height  of  five  feet  and 
has  orange  and  blue  flowers,  S.  nicolai  is  very  much  larger  and 
has  immense  leaves  while  it  bears  bluish  and  whitish  blossoms. 
Both  are  doing  well  for  me  in  the  edge  of  the  hammock  and  no 
doubt  they  would  do  even  better  on  rich,  moist  soil. 

Strobilanthus.  S.  anisophyllus  and  S.  isophyllus  have  at- 
tractive purplish  blue  flowers;  S.  dyerianus  has  elliptical  leaves 
gorgeously  variegated  with  iridescent  purple,  blue,  lilac  and  rose. 
It  likes  best  a  partial  shade.  All  are  tender. 

Talinum  patens.  The  variegated  variety  of  this  is  sometimes 
cultivated  in  lower  Florida.  It  is  a  pretty  little  plant  which 
Reasoner  says  prospers  at  Oneco,  but  is  here  subject  to  root  knot. 

Torenias  are  lovely  little  plants  which  bear  a  profusion  of 
yellow  or  blue  flowers  with  yellow  and  black  throats.  They 
are  from  the  Old  World  Tropics  and  are  tender.  They  do  best  in 
rich,  moist  soil,  though  sometimes  they  succeed  in  dry  land.  In 
northern  and  middle  Florida  they  make  good  annuals  and  here 
they  might  be  sown  in  the  fall  for  winter  blooming. 

Tropaeolum.  The  Nasturtiums  are  everywhere  well  known 
and  succeed  nicely  in  this  state.  Like  the  Torenias  they  might 
be  grown  in  the  colder  part  of  the  state  as  annuals.  Here  they 
grow  also  in  summer  if  partly  shaded.  Give  them  plenty  of 
water  and  rich  soil. 

Vallota  purpurea  requires  the  same  treatment  as  Hippeastrum. 
I  have  had  this  plant  several  years  and  it  has  shown  a  disposition 


1 82  ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING 

to  flourish  but  the  lubber  grasshoppers  have  cultivated  it  so 
assiduously  that  it  has  never  succeeded. 

Victoria.  I  do  not  know  that  these  grand  aquatics  have  been 
cultivated  in  the  state  but  see  no  reason  why  they  should  not 
succeed. 

Verbena.  From  what  I  can  learn  Verbenas  are  satisfactory  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  state  though  in  the  more  tropical  region 
they  do  not  go  through  the  summer  very  well.  They  are  good  as 
annuals  here.  At  Rita  I  saw  fine  Verbenas  in  October  which  had 
grown  beautifully  all  summer. 

Vincas  might  almost  be  called  beautiful  weeds  in  South  Flor- 
ida. The  Madagascar  Periwinkles  are  certainly  as  much  at 
home  here  as  in  Madagascar. 

Violets.  These  do  best  in  rich,  well-drained  soil  in  partial 
shade  with  a  considerable  amount  of  moisture  and  should  succeed 
over  the  cooler  part  of  the  state.  In  the  lower  portion  they  may 
be  grown  in  slat  houses  or  in  a  cool,  shaded  situation  out  of  doors. 

Xanthosoma  lindeni  is  a  superb  plant  with  sagittate  leaves 
whose  veins  and  midrib  are  white.  X.  javanica  has  immense 
sagittate  foliage  tinted  purple.  The  great  Elephant's  Ear  (Col- 
ocasia  esculenta)  is  nearly  related.  The  literature  of  these 
groups  of  Aroids  is  badly  mixed  and  most  of  these  plants'  have 
been  sold  under  a  variety  of  names.  A  plant  called  Colocasia 
illustris  has  dark  green  leaves  shaded  and  blotched  with  black. 
All  of  these  need  the  richest  of  soil,  plenty  of  moisture,  heat  and 
some  shade  for  their  best  development. 

Yucca  filamentosa  is  a  hardy,  attractive  plant,  native  of  the 
state  and  will  flourish  in  sandy  soil.  It  is  widely  grown  in  the 
north. 

MISCELLANEOUS  EPIPHYTES. 

I  give  here  a  list  of  epiphytes  which  I  have  cultivated  in  my 
hammock,  not  including  Orchids,  and  I  will  remark  that  almost 
everything  that  has  been  tried  has  succeeded.  There  is  little 
danger  of  frost  in  the  hammocks  of  the  lower  part  of  the  state ;  as 
Reclus  has  shown,  the  temperature  of  forests  is  about  two  and 
one-fourth  degrees  higher  in  winter  than  in  the  surrounding  open 
country  and  the  same  amount  cooler  in  summer.  There  is 


IN  FLORIDA  183 

probably  even  greater  difference  than  this  in  our  region  so  that 
our  hammocks  are  finely  adapted  to  these  plants.  They  may  be 
fastened  to  trees  in  the  same  way  as  recommended  for  Orchids. 
Water  should  be  kept  out  of  the  leaf  bases  of  most  of  the  Brom- 
eliads  until  they  are  established. 

Aechmea.  About  sixty  species  of  plants  from  Tropical  Amer- 
ica belonging  to  the  Bromeliads  or  Pineapple  family.  A.fulgens 
is  a  superb  plant  of  which  I  have  a  fine  example ;  its  broad  leaves 
end  abruptly;  they  are  purplish  green  above  and  purple  below 
and  in  summer  bear  heads  of  coral  red  calyces  with  blue  corollas, 
A.  mariae-reginae  has  broad  green  leaves;  the  scape  is  clothed 
with  pink  bracts  and  the  flowers  are  blue  tipped  but  change  to 
crimson. 

Aeschynanthus.  Tropical  plants,  mostly  epiphytes,  often 
climbing  and  bearing  brilliant  small  flowers.  A.  grandiflorus  is 
doing  well  for  me. 

Anthurium.  Some  of  these  are  more  or  less  epiphytic  and  can 
be  grown  on  the  trunks  of  trees  in  damp  hammocks  or  the  walls 
of  fern  pools. 

Begonias.  A  number  of  these  grow  on  moist,  rocky  walls  in 
tropical  forests. 

Billbergia.  A  large  tropical  genus,  several  species  of  which  are 
luxuriating  on  my  trees.  B.  nutans  has  drooping  flowers,  sepals 
reddish,  petals  yellowish  green,  both  with  blue  margins,  blooming 
at  intervals  through  the  year.  I  have  other  unnamed  species. 

Camguata  lingulata,  Heart  of  Fire.  The  leaves  are  pale, 
grayish  green  when  the  plant  is  at  rest  but  when  the  flower  stem 
springs  up  they  turn  a  brilliant  red  until  the  season  of  blooming 
is  over,  then  becoming  green  again. 

Cryptanihus  zonatus.  A  prettily  variegated  plant,  the  leaves 
being  reddish  green  barred  with  silvery  bands  and  silvery  below. 
C.  acaulis  has  undulated  leaves  which  are  greenish  red  with 
two  longitudinal  paler  stripes,  the  whole  with  metallic  shadings, 
— a  very  beautiful  plant. 

Epiphyllum  truncatum  is  a  well-known  window  and  conserv- 
atory plant  in  the  north,  where  it  is  called  Crab's  Claw  and 
Christmas  Cactus.  Here  it  thrives  on  trees  in  the  hammock. 


184  ORNAMENTAL   GARDENING 

Karatus  spectabilis.  A  superb  epiphyte  with  strap-shaped, 
blunt  leaves  which  are  tipped  with  red,  rich,  reddish  green  above 
and  darker  below. 

Peperomias  may  be  grown  on  trees  in  a  damp  place. 

Pitcairnia.  The  species  of  this  genus  succeed  on  trees  and 
rotting  stumps. 

Rhipsalis.  R.  cassytha  from  the  West  Indies  (also  the  Old 
World  Tropics)  is  growing  splendidly  on  trees  for  me.  It  is  one 
of  the  Cacti,  and  the  only  one  believed  to  be  indigenous  to  the 
Old  World. 

Tillandsia.  A  large  genus,  well  represented  in  Florida  and 
abundant  through  the  American  Tropics.  Several  of  these 
tropical  species  are  already  cultivated  and  I  have  little  doubt 
that  all  could  be  in  the  lower  part  of  the  state. 

Vriesia  splendens.  A  beautifully  marked  Bromeliad  which  has 
done  well  for  me. 

ANNUALS. 

I  will  close  this  list  with  a  few  words  about  annuals.  So  far 
as  I  can  learn  nearly  all  the  common  species  growji  at  the  north 
may  be  grown  in  summer  in  the  cooler  part  of  the  state,  where 
quite  a  number  of  the  hardy  perennials  flourish.  As  we  go 
southward  in  the  state  climatic  conditions  change  somewhat  and 
when  the  more  tropical  part  is  reached  the  annuals  are  less 
successful  in  summer.  However,  I  have  seen  a  very  good  show- 
ing of  Zinnias,  Petunias,  Snapdragons  and  Phlox  drummondi 
grown  in  Lemon  City  in  July  and  August  on  new  pine  land  without 
irrigation.  There  is  a  beautiful  flower  garden  on  Big  Pine  Key 
at  Mr.  J.  T.  Knowles'  place  where  quite  a  showing  of  annuals  was 
noticed  in  May.  As  a  general  thing,  however,  these  plants 
fail  in  lower  Florida  during  the  warm  season. 

In  this  region  the  ground  may  be  prepared  in  September  or 
October  and  it  would  be  an  excellent  idea  to  work  in  some  muck 
into  pine  land.  Plenty  of  cow  manure  is  a  fine  thing  for  annuals ; 
if  this  cannot  be  had  use  stable  manure.  It  may  be  well  in  some 
cases  to  plant  the  seeds  in  small  pots,  later  turning  the  ball  out 
and  putting  it  in  the  ground.  Planting  in  boxes  is  a  good  idea; 


IN   FLORIDA  185 

when  the  seedlings  are  two  or  three  inches  high  they  can  be  put 
out  in  the  ground. 

In  order  to  succeed  in  pine  land  with  annuals  in  winter  in  lower 
Florida  it  will  be  necessary  to  use  some  water.  If  one  has  an 
irrigating  plant  he  will  have  no  trouble;  if  not,  a  well  with  a  force 
pump  and  hose  will  solve  the  problem  on  a  small  scale.  Usually 
a  considerable  amount  of  rain  falls  during  the  drier  months  but 
hardly  enough  for  annuals  on  high  land.  One  can,  when  dry 
spells  occur,  do  something  in  a  small  way  for  annuals  by  carrying 
water. 

Pleas  gives  the  following  list  of  annuals  which  are  successfully 
cultivated  at  Chipley.  Petunias,  Gosmos,  Sweet  alyssum,  Candy- 
tuft, Nasturtiums,  China  pinks,  Marigolds,  California  poppies, 
Sunflower,  Larkspurs,  Cypress  vine,  Standing  cypress,  Celosia, 
Coreopsis,  Portulaca,  Balsams,  Globe  amaranths,  Sweet  peas 
(with  protection),  Mignonette,  Thunbergia,  Zinnias,  Gerardia, 
Periwinkle. 


INDEX. 

The  various  species  are  discussed  or  described  on  the  italicized 

page. 


Abrus  precatorius 156 

Abutilon .  . 140 

Abutilon  striatum 141 

Acacia . 140 

Acacia  farnesiana 105 

neriifolia 128 

Acalypha 46,  166 

Acalypha  godseffiana 166 

hispida 166 

macafeana 166 

marginata 166 

miltoniana 166 

triumphans 166 

wilkesiana 166 

Acer  rubrum 707 

Achimenes 166 

Achras  sapota 152 

Achyrantheos 176 

Acoelorraphe  arborescens 51, 101 

wrighti 101 

Acrocomia  lasiospatha 1 18 

media 1 18 

sclerocarpa 117 

tota 118 

Acrostichum  aureum 85, 114 

lomarioides 85, 114 

Adansonia  digitata 128 

Adenanthera 1 1 

Adenanthera  pavonina ......  60,  128 

Adiantum  capillus-veneris  ....  114 

tenerum 114 

Aechmea 183 

mariae-reginae 183 

Aeschynanthus 183 

African  lily 167 

African  oil  palm 91 

Agapanthus  umbellatus 167 

Agave 167 

Agave  americana 167 

decipiens 115 

densiflora 167 

filifera 167 

macracantha 167 

neglecta 115 

salmiana 167 


187 


Agave  sisalina 7/5, 167 

victoriae-reginae 167 

Agdestes  clematidea 39, 15 6 

Ageratum 167 

Ailanthus  glandulosa 128 

Air  pines 85 

Akee 152 

Albizzia  julibrissin 129 

lebbek 11,59,129 

Aleurites  cordata 129 

triloba 129 

Allamanda 156,  160 

Allamanda  cathartica 156 

hendersoni 156 

neriifolia 142 

schotti 156 

violacea 15  6 

williamsi 157 

Alocasia 167 

Alocasia  cuprea 167 

macrorhiza 167 

sanderiana 167 

violacea 167 

Aloe 167 

Aloe  yera 167 

Aloysia  citriodora 141 

Alpinia 167 

Alpinia  mutica 168 

nutans 167 

Alsophila 13  3 

Alternanthera 7, 168 

Althea 142 

Alyssum 7 

Amaryllis 45, 168,  176 

Amaryllis  belladonna 168 

American  white  elm 98 

American  woodbine 92 

Amherstia  nobilis 129 

Ampelopsis 54 

Ampelopsis  arborea 87 

quinquefolia 112 

veitchi 157 

Amyris  elemifera 106 

Ananas 168 

Andropogon  schoenanthus 168 


188 


INDEX 


Angelonia  angustifolia 168 

Annona 85 

Annuals 184 

Anthurium 168,  183 

Anthurium  crassinervum 168 

crystallinum 168 

magnificum 168 

warocqueanum 168 

Antigonon  leptopus 157 

Antirrhinum 168 

Aphelandra 168 

Aphelandra  roezeli 168 

Aphides 43 

Aquatics 169 

Arabian  jessamine 161 

Aralia  guilfoylei 141 

pulchra 139 

spinosa 14 1 

Araucaria  bidwilli 129,  130 

excelsa 129 

braziliensis .  ._ 129 

imbricata 130 

Archontophoenix n 

Archontophoenix  alexandrae. .  .  118 

cunninghami 118 

Ardisia  crenulata 141 

Areca  alicaea 1 18 

lutescens 119 

triandra 118 

Arenga  saccharifera 91, 118 

Argyraea  cymosa 157 

tiliaefplia 757 

Aristolochia  grandiflora 757 

sipho 757 

"Arnotto 700 

Artabotrys  odoratissimus 742 

Artocarpus  incisa 752 

integrifolia 152 

Arundo  donax 52 

Asplenium 114 

Asplenium  serratum 81,  86, 114 

Astrocaryum  argenteum 118 

ayri 118 

filiare 118 

mexicanum 118 

muru-muru 118 

Attalea  cohune 775 

Aucuba  japonica 142 

Australian  pine .- .  .58,  65, 102 

Avocado 92 

Azalea 142 

Bactris  gaesipes 118 

Balaka  seemani 776" 

Balsam 185 

Bamboo 169 

Bambusa 169 


Bambusa  argentea 52,  770 

arundinacea 770 

disticha 52,  770,  66 

verticillata „  .  .  .     770 

vulgaris ?.  .  .  .       52 

Banana 754 

Banyan 104,  755 

Baobab  tree 128 

Baphia  racemosa 142 

Barringtonia 130 

Bauhinia  acuminata 142 

alba 130 

furfuracea 130 

krugi 130 

picta 142 

purpurea 130 

tomentosa 130 

triandra 130 

vahli  -. 757 

Beaumontia  grandiflora 75$ 

Begonia 170, 183 

Begonia  evansiana 141,  770 

Bergamot  berry 755 

Bidens  leucantha 39 

Bignonia  adenophylla 140 

argyraeo-violescens 75  8 

var.  atrosanguinea 158 

buccinatoria 158 

capreolata 39,  113,  158 

speciosa 75$ 

tweediana 75$ 

venusta 39,  92, 158 

Billbergia  nutans 183 

Bird  of  paradise  flower 7 #7 

Birthwort 757 

Bischofia  javanica 130 

Bixa  orellana 130 

Black  calabash 108 

Black  pepper 163 

Blechnum  serrulatum 52 

Blephariglottis 116 

Boerhaavia 39 

Bombax  ceiba 130 

Bo  or  pipal  tree 60, 135 

Boston  fern 81 

Borassus  flabellif ormis 124 

Bottle  brush 143 

Bougainvillea  glabra 75$ 

lateritia 158 

var.  sanderiana 158 

spectabilis 158 

Bouvardia 142 

Brachychiton  acerifolium.  .  .737,  139 

Brassivola  glauca 69 

Brassia  caudata 67 

verrucosa 69 


INDEX 


189 


Bread  fruit 152 

Brownea  ariza 131 

Brunfelsia  americana 143 

Bryophyllum  calycinum 170 

Buddleia  braziliensis 170 

hemsleyana 170 

Bunya-bunya  pine 129 

Bursera  gummifera 79 

Butea  frondosa 131 

Button  bush 85 

Button  wood 85 

Buxus  sempervirens 143 

Cabbage  palmetto 58,  65 

Caesalpinia  nuga 159 

pulcherrima 143 

Cajeput  tree 52, 136 

Calabash  tree 132 

Caladium  bicolor 170 

picturatum 170 

roezeli 170 

Calamus  rotang ng 

tenuis IIQ 

Calathea  zebrina 177 

Calceolaria 177 

California  poppy 185 

Calla  ethiopica 14 1 

Callicarpa  americana 1 1 1 

Callistemon  lanceolatus 143 

Callitris  robusta 131 

Calodendron  capense 131 

Calophyllum  inophyllum 131 

calaba 131 

Calotropis  gigantea 143 

procera 143 

Calycanthus  floridus 143 

glaucus 143 

Camellia  japonica 143 

Camphor  tree 61 

Campyloneuron  phylliditis  81,  86,  114 

Cananga  odorata 131 

Canavalia  obtusifolia 20, 112 

gladiata 20,  112 

Canarium  commune 131 

Candytuft 185 

Canella  winteriana 707 

Canna  flaccida 116 

Cannon  ball  tree 132 

Caraguata  lingulata 183 

Carica  papaya 153 

Caribbean  pine 70 

Carissa  acuminata 153 

carandas 153 

grandiflora 153 

Carob  tree 132,  153 

Carludovica  palmata 777 

Caryota  blancoi IIQ 


PAGE 

Caryota  mitis 77p 

purpur.acea 77p 

sobolifera ng 

urens IIQ 

Cassia  alata 144 

fistula. 11, 131 

Casuarina  equisetifolia 

58,  65,  102,  132 

Catalpa  speciosa 132 

Catesbaea 66 

parviflora no 

spinosa 144 

Catopsis 86 

Cattleya  citrina 68 

dowiana 68 

labiata 68 

trianae 68 

wagneri 68 

Cavendish  banana 755 

Carolina  cherry 66 

Carolina  laurel 705 

Cecropia  palmata 755 

peltata 755 

Cedar  of  Lebanon 132 

Cedrela  odorata 132 

toona 132 

Cedrus  atlantica 132 

deodara 132 

libani 132 

Celosia 185 

Celtis  occidentalis 103 

Cenchrus 39 

Centradenia 144 

Century  plant 167 

Cephalanthus 85 

Ceratonia  siliqua 132, 153 

Ceratostigma 150 

Cercis  canadensis 705 

Cereus 158, 171 

Cereus  grandiflorus 158 

monoclonos 770 

nycticalus 75$ 

pitajaya? 75$ 

serpentinus 777 

triangularis 772,  158 

Ceriman 754,  160 

Cestrum  aurantiacum 144 

diurnum 744- 

elegans 744 

nocturnum 744 

parqui 744 

Chinese  pinks 185 

Chinese  hibiscus 66,  747 

Chamaedorea  arenbergiana. .  .  .  ng 

corallina 77p 

graminifolia 77p 


190 


INDEX 


Chamaedorea  multicaulis up 

Chamaerops  humilis 124 

macrocarpa 124 

Cherokee  rose 163 

Chicle,  Chiclets 152 

Chiococca  racemosa 113 

Chionanthus  virginica 108 

Cheiroglossa  palmata 113 

Chlorocodon  whitei 158 

Christmas  cactus 183 

Chrysalidocarpus  lutescens ....  IIQ 

Chrysanthemum 171 

Chrysobalanus  icaco 51 

pellocarpus 51 

Chrysomelids 43,  44 

Chrysophyllum  cainito 153 

pliviforme 108 

Chysis  aurea 69 

Cibotium 133 

Cinnamomum  camphora 61, 132 

cassia 132 

zeylanicum 132 

Cissus  discolor 159 

Citrus 153 

Clematis  henryi 159 

jackmani 159 

paniculata 159 

Clerodendron  bungei 144 

fragrans 144 

siphonatum 144 

squamatum 171 

thompsonae. 159 

Clianthus  dampieri 159 

puniceus 159 

Climbing  devoniensis  rose 163 

Clitorea  ternatea 159 

Clusia  rosea 132 

Cobaea  scandens 160 

Coccolobis  laurifolia 104 

uvifera 51 , 104 

Coccpthrinax  garberi 2, 100 

jucunda 100 

Coconut 58 

Cocos 11,58,65 

Cocos  alphonsei 120 

australis 120 

bonneti 120 

campestris 120 

coronata 119 

eriospatha 120 

flexuosa 119 

gaertneri .  120 

insignis 120 

nucifera 57, 97, 101 

plumosa 58, 119 

romanzoffiana 119 


PAGE 

Cocos  weddelliana 120 

yatay 720 

Codiaeum 144 

Coffee 75  j 

Coleoptera 43 

Coleus 777 

Colocasia  antiquorum 772 

esculenta 182 

illustris 182 

Combretum  coccineum 160 

grandiflorum 160 

laxiflorum 160 

Common  myrtle 144 

Comptie  butterfly 82 

Conocarpus 85 

Convallaria 172 

Copernicia  cerifera 124 

Cool  house  orchids 70 

Cordia  sebestina 52, 108 

Cordyline 172 

Cordyline  australis 6, 172 

indivisa 6, 172 

terminalis 172 

Coreopsis 185 

Cornus  florida 107 

Corypha 724 

Corypha  elata 725 

gebanga 725 

megapoda 725 

umbraculifera 124,  725 

Cosmos 185 

Couroupita  guianensis 7J2 

Crab's  claw  cactus 183 

Crab's  eye  vine 156 

Crassula 772 

Creeping  polypodium 81 

Crescentia  cucurbitana 51 

cujete. 51, 132 

Crinumamabile 772 

americanum 86, 116 

asiaticum 772 

longiflprum -  772 

moorei 772 

pedunculatum 172 

scabrum 772 

Crossandra  undulaefolia 772 

Croton 744 

Cryptanthus  zonatus 183 

Cryptomeria  japonica 133 

Cryptostegia  grandiflora 160 

madagascariensis 160 

Cuban  bast 109 

Cunningham ia  sinensis 133 

Cupania  sapida 152 

Cuphea  ignea 172 

microphylla 172 


INDEX 


191 


Cuphea  platycentra 141, 772 

Cupressus  funebris 133 

knightiana 133 

lawsoniana 133 

torulosa 133 

Curculigo  recurvata 773 

Curcuma 173 

Cyanophyllum  magnificum ....  773 

Cyathea 133 

Cycas , .  .  6 

Cycas  circinalis 133 

revoluta .  . '133 

Cydonia  japonica 145 

Cyperus 40 

Cyperus  alternifolius 169 

papyrus 169 

Cypress  vine 161,  185 

Cyrtopodium  punctatum 67 

Daedalocanthus  nervosus 173 

Daemonorops 120 

Dahlia ...» 175 

Dammara  australis 133 

Daphne 145 

Date  palm 122 

Datura 773 

Delonix  regia.  .  . n,  52, 133 

Dendrobium  densiflorum 68 

fimbriatum 68 

formosum 68 

griffithianum 68 

moschatum 68 

nobile 68 

palpebre 68 

phalanopsis 68 

schroederianum 68 

superbum 68 

wardianum 68 

Dendrocalamus  latiflorus 1 1 , 169 

strictus n,  91 

Dendrophylax 67 

Dendropogon  usneoides 79 

Desmodium  molle 20 

Desmoncus  major 120 

Deutzia  crenata 145 

gracilis 145 

Dianthus 1 73 

Dicksonia 133 

Dictyophorus  reticulatus 45 

Dictyosperma  alba 720 

rubra 120 

Dillenia  indica 134, 154 

Dieffenbachia 173 

Dioon 6, 174 

Dioscorea 160 

Diospyros  virginiana 85 

Dipladenia 160 


PAGE 

Dolichos  multiflorus 20 

Dombeya 92 

Dracaena  draco 174 

fragrans 174 

godsemana 36, 174 

goldieana 174 

sanderiana 174 

Drypetes  keyensis : 106 

lateriflora 106 

Dryopteris  ampla 714 

Dumb  cane /7j 

Duranta 66 

Duranta  repens 145 

Dwarf  banana 155 

Dwarf  tree  box 66 

Dypsis  madagascariensis 120 

Echeveria 1 1 ,  54,  772 

Echinocereus 774 

Elaeis  guineensis .'.  . II,  720 

Elephant's  ear 772 

Encephalartos 774 

English  ivy 56,  7^7 

Epidendrum  cochleatum 67 

conopseum 68 

nocturnum 67 

tampense 68 

Epiphyllum  truncatum 183 

Epiphytic  orchids 85 

Epipremnum  mirabile 160 

Eriobotrya  japonica 754 

Eriodendron  anfractuosum ....  7J4 

Erythea 725 

Erythrina 44 

arborea 770 

crista-galli 7J4 

herbacea 770 

Eucalyptus 51,  7J4 

globulus 51 

robusta 51 

rudis 51 

Eucharis 45 

Eucharis  amazonica » 774 

Eugenia  conf usa 707 

garberi 707 

jambos 1 1 ,  65,  754 

malaccensis 754 

uniflora 66 

Eumenia  atala 82 

Euonymus  radicans 39 

Euphorbia 774 

havanensis 754 

jacquiniflora 745,  774 

pulcherrima 745 

sanguinea 7J4 

tiriculli 7J4 

splendens 745 


192 


INDEX 


Euterpe 120 

Exogonium  microdactylum .  . .  .  113 

Exostema  caribaeum . 108 

Faradaya  splendens 92 

Fatsia  papyratia 146 

Ficus 43, 62,  85, 104, 160 

altissima 135 

aurea 52, 103 

bengalensis 135 

brevifolia 52 

cunninghami 135 

elastica 135 

infectoria 135 

macrophylla 135 

nitida 60 

nymphaefolia 93, 135 

pandurata 135 

parcelli 135 

populnea 104 

quercifolia 161 

religiosa 60, 135 

repens 39,  56,  76, 160 

rubiginosa 135 

villosa 161 

Fish  geranium 141 

Fittonia  argyroneura 174 

verschaffelti 174 

Flowering  dogwood 707 

Fringe  tree 108 

Fuchsia 141, 146 

Furcraea  beddinghausi 174 

cubensis 174 

gigantea 174 

lindeni 174 

longaeva 174 

pubescens 174 

tuberosa 174 

Gamboge  tree '.  135 

Garcinia  morella 135 

Gardenia 66 

Gardenia  florida 146 

Geiger  tree 108 

Gelseminiim  sempervirens 112 

Genipa  clusiifolia 108 

Geonoma 120 

Georgia  pine 102 

Geranium ". 141,  175, 179 

Gesnera 175 

Gerardia 185 

Gladiolus 175 

Globe  amaranth 185 

Gloriosa  superba 16 1 

virescens 161 

Glory  pea 159 

Gloxinia 175 

Gordonia .  .  66 


Gordonia  lasianthus 61, 107 

Granadilla 162 

Graptophyllum  hortense 146 

Grass  fern 81 

Grevillea  banksi 135 

robusta 135 

thelemanniana 146 

Guaiacum  officinale 135 

sanctum 105 

Guilandina  bonduc 112 

bonducella 1 12 

Gumbo  limbo 79, 106 

Gynerium 775 

Gynura 175 

Hackberry 103 

Haematoxylon  campeachianum  135 

Hamelia 93 

patens 43,  52,  no,  146 

sphaerocarpa 146 

Hand  fern 113 

Hart's  choice  banana 155 

Hedera  helix 56, 161 

Hedychium  coronarium 775 

gardnerianum 775 

Hedyscepe  canterburyana 720 

Heliconia  bihai 775 

Heliconia  charitonicus 82 

Heliotropium .  .  . 775 

Hematilia 133 

Hemerocallis 776 

Hemigraphis  colorata 775 

Hemiptera 43 

Heritiera  littoralis 136 

Hibiscus  aculeatus 116 

coccineus T  116 

grandiflorus 116 

incanus 116 

moscheutos 116 

mutabilis * 52,  747 

rosa-sinensis n,  52,  747 

schizopetalus 747 

syriacus 142,  747 

Hippeastrum 45, 176,  181 

equestre 776 

johnsoni 776 

reginae , 176 

Holly 106 

Honeysuckle 7^7 

Horse  banana 755 

Howea  belmoreana 720 

fosteriana 720 

Hoya 161 

Hyacinth 176 

Hybrid  perpetual  roses 757 

Hydrangea 747 

Hydriastele  wendlandiana 121 


INDEX 


193 


Hymenocallis 86, 116 

Hyophorbe  amaricaulis 121 

verschaffelti 121 

Hyphaene  schatan 125 

Icacorea  paniculata 79, 107 

Ilex  cassine 85 

opaca 106 

Impatiens  sultani 176 

Indian  laurel 60 

India  rubber  tree 135 

Inga  dulcis 61 

Inodes 50,65,97,99 

caerulescens 125 

havanensis 51 

ghiesbreghti 125 

mauritiaformis 125 

megacarpa 51,  pp,  125 

mexicana 51 

palmetto 5i,p#,  125 

princeps 125 

umbraculifera 51, 125 

lonopsis 67 

Ipomaea 161 

bona-nox 112 

dissecta 113 

fistulosa 147 

fuchsioides 113 

horsfalli 161 

purpurea 161 

quamoclit 161 

sidifolia 161 

tuba 113 

tuberosa 161 

Iresine 176 

Iris  hexagona 176 

Ivory  nut  palm 179 

Ixora  coccinea 147 

colei 148 

dixiana 148 

flore  lutea 148 

rosea  splendens 148 

williamsi 147 

Jacaranda  mimosaefolia 136 

Jacobinia  magnifica 176 

velutina 176 

acquemontia  pentantha 113 

acquinia  keyensis 107 

ak  fruit 752 

apan  gold  dust  shrub 142 

apan  quince 145 

asmine 161 

asminum  grandiflorum 161 

humile 161 

officinale 161 

primulinum 161 

pubescens 161 


Jasminum  sambac 161 

simplicifolium . 161 

Jatropha  curcas 176 

multifida 176 

essamine 161 

ubaea 121 

udas  tree 105 

usticia -.-•-  177 

carnea 176 

coccinea 176 

Karatas  spectabilis 184 

Kentia  belmoreana ^  .  . .  .  121 

fpsteriana 121 

Kigelia  pinnata 136 

Kopsia  arborea 148 

Kudzu  vine 92 

Kumquat 153 

Lady  finger  banana 755 

Laelia  anceps 68 

jonghiana 68 

majalis 68 

perrini 68 

superbians 68 

Lagerstroemia  flos-reginae 136 

indica 148 

Lamarck  rose 163 

Lantana 177 

camara in 

Larkspur 185 

Latania  borbonica 125,  126 

commersoni 125 

loddigesi 725 

Laurocerasus  carolinensis 66 

sphaerocarpa 705. 

Laurel  oak 61 

Laurus  nobilis 148 

Laurestinus 757 

Lawsonia  inermis 148 

Lecanium 43 

Lemon  verbena 747 

Leonotis  leonurus 777 

Lepidoptera 43 

Libocedrus  decurrens 136 

Licuala 126 

elegans 125 

grandis 125 

horrida 125 

peltata 125 

rumphi 125 

Lignum  vitae 705, 135 

Ligustrum 66 

amurense 148 

lucidum 148 

Lilium 777 

catesbaei 775 

henryi 777 


194 


INDEX 


Lilium  nepalense 177 

nilgherrense 177 

sulphureum 177 

Lily  of  the  valley 172 

Limnobium  spongia i6g 

Limnocharis  humboldti 169 

Liquidambar  styraciflua 105 

Live  oak 61, 65,  79, 103 

Livistona 125, 126 

altissima 126 

chinensis 126 

hoogendorpi 126 

jenkinsiana 126 

mariae 126 

olivaeformis 126 

rotundifolia 126 

subglobosa 126 

Lobelia  cardinalis 117 

Loblolly  bay 61, 107 

Lodoicea  sechellarum 126 

Logwood 135 

Long  moss 79 

Lonicera  japonica 161 

sempervirens 1 13 

Loquat 154 

Lycaste  aromatica 69 

skinneri 69 

Macartney  rose 163 

Macradenia 67 

Madagascar  periwinkle 182 

Magnolia  foetida 61, 104 

glauca 85, 104 

grandiflora 104 

macrophylla 105 

Mahogany 60, 106 

Malvaviscus  arboreus 141, 148 

Malu 157 

Mammillaria 174 

Mammea  americana 154 

Mandevillea  suaveolens 162 

Mangifera  indica 59, 154 

Mango 59,154 

Manicaria  sacchifera 121 

Maranta 177 

Marechal  Niel  rose 163 

Marigolds 185 

Marlberry 79, 107 

Martinezia  caryotaefolia 121 

Matapalo 132 

Mauritia 126 

Maximiliana  regia 121 

Melaleuca  leucadendron 52, 136 

Melia  azedarach  var 136 

floribunda 136 

sempervirens 136 

Melocactus 177 


Mesua  ferrea 137 

Mignonette 185 

Miltonia  roezeli 69 

Mimusops  sieberi 108 

Monaco  palm 116* 

Monkey  puzzle 130 

Monniera  monniera 50 

Monstera 76, 160 

deliciosa 154 

Monthly  roses 151 

Moonflower 112 

Moon  vine 93 

Moringa  pterygosperma 137 

Mucuna  urens 162 

Murraya  exotica 148 

Musa. 154, 177 

coccinea 177 

ensete 777 

gilletti. 177 

martini 177 

rhodochlamys 93, 177 

rosacea 777 

sumatrana 177 

superba 177 

textilis 177 

vittata 177 

Mussaenda  frondosa 148 

Myrica  cerifera 85 

Myrobalan ; 60, 155 

Myrtus  communis 149 

Nasturtium 181,  185 

Nelumbium 169 

Nematode 43 

Neowashingtonia 127 

Nepenthes 162 

Nephrolepis  biserrata 52,  86, 115 

cordifolia 86 

exaltata 52,  81,  86, 115 

Nerium 149 

New  Zealand  flax 179 

Night  blooming  jasmine 93 

Nipa  fruticans 52,  177 

Norantea 162 

Norfolk  island  pine 129 

Nuphar 169 

Nut  grass 40 

Nymphaea 169 

Odontoglossum 70 

Oenocarpus  disticha 122 

Oleander 149 

Oncidium 68 

ampliatum 69 

cavendishianum 69 

leucocheilum 69 

luridum 67 

ornithorhynchum 69 


INDEX 


195 


PAGE 

Oncidium  papilio 69 

sphacellatum 7° 

splendidum 69 

tigrinum 69 

varicosum 69 

Opuntia 174 

Orchid  blight 47 

Orchids , 67 

Oreodoxa  borinquena 122 

floridana 51 

oleracea 51, 122 

regia 51,98,122 

Oriental  ficus 93 

Orinoco  banana 155 

Ormosia  dasycarpa 149 

Oroxylon  indicum JJ7 

Osage  orange 152 

Osmanthus  americanus in 

fragrans 149 

Osmunda  cinnamomea 114 

spectabilis 52,  85, 114 

Otaheite  gooseberry 755 

Oxalis 178 

Pachira  fastuosa 737 

macrocarpa IJ7 

princeps 7J7 

Pampas  grass 775 

Panax  aureum 178 

excelsum 178 

plumatum 178 

victoriae 178 

Pandanus 66, 178 

baptisti 52,178 

candelabrum 52, 178 

odoratissimus 178 

pacificus 179 

sanderi 52, 178 

utilis 178 

veitchi 1 1 ,  52, 178 

Panicum  excurrens 179 

Paritium  abutiloides 51 

elatum Hi5i,  109 

tiliaceum 11,51,109 

Parkinsonia  aculeata 105, 137 

Parmentiera  cerifera 137 

Passiflora 162, 165 

caerulea 162 

incarnata 112 

princeps 162 

quadrangularis 162 

Passion  flower 162 

Pavonia  racemosa 97 

Pedilanthus  tithymaloides. .  /.  .  .     179 

Pelargonium 175, 179 

Pellionia 76 

daveauana. .  162 


Peltophorum  ferrugineum 137 

Peperomia 179, 184 

Pepper 163 

Pereskia 162 

aculeata 162 

bleo 162 

Periwinkle 185 

Persea 85 

Persimmon 85 

Petrea 162 

Petunia 185 

Phaias  grandiflorus 77 

Phalanopsis  amabilis 69,87 

schilleriana 69,87 

Philbertella  clausa 112 

Philodendron  erubescens 162 

hederaceum 162 

giganteum 162 

lacerum 162 

pertusum 154 

verrucosum 162 

Phlebodium  aureum 81, 114 

Phlox 179 

Phoenix 51, 122 

acaulis 122 

canariensis 6,  50, 122 

cycadifolia 122 

dactylifera 6,  50, 122 

farinifera 50, 122 

humilis 50, 122 

leonensis 122 

melanocarpa 50,  722 

paludosa 50 

paradenia 50 

pumila 50,  722 

pusilla 122 

reclinata 50,  722 

rupicola 50, 122 

roebelini 122 

senegalensis 50 

sylvestris 50, 122 

tenuis 50,  722 

tomentosa 50 

Phormium .  . 179 

Phyllanthus 66 

angustifolius 149 

distichus 755 

emblica 60,  755 

nivosus 6, 149 

Phyllocactus  latifrons 163 

Phyllostachys  spinpsa 770 

Phymatodes  swartzi 114 

Phytelephas 770 

Piaropus  crassipes 775 

Pigeon  plum 104 

Pilea 770 


196 


INDEX 


Pimenta  officinalis 138 

Pinanga 123 

Pinckneya  pubens.  .  . no 

Pineapple 168 

Pinus  caribaea 17,  79 

palustris 17,  79 

Pipal  tree 135 

Piper  porphyrophyllum 163 

Pitcairnia 184 

Pitcher  plant 162 

Pithecolobium 61 

Pithecolobium  dulce 137 

saman 138 

Pithecotehium  aubleti 163 

clematideum 163 

Pittosporum  tobira 150 

undulatum 750 

viridiflorum 150 

Plantain 154 

Pleroma 179 

Plumbago  capensis 750 

larpentae 150 

rosea £...  150 

Plumeria  alba 138 

acutifolia 138 

rubra 138 

tricolor 138 

Podocarpus  macrophylla 138 

Poinsettia 145 

Polypodium  pectinatum 115 

plumula 1/5 

polypodioides 8 1 ,  86 

Polystachya 67 

Pomegranate 156 

Pond  apple 85 

Popinac 105 

Porana  paniculata 163 

Porcupine  palm 99 

Portulacca 185 

Pothos 76, 163 

argyraea 163 

aurea.  .  .^ 163 

Pratt's  scalecide 45 

Prince  wood 108 

Pritchardia  marti 126 

pacifica 51, 126 

thurstoni 126 

Privet 148 

Prunus  caroliniana 41,  705 

Pseudophoenix  sargenti 101 

Ptychosperma  macarthuri 123 

Pueraria  thunbergiana 163 

Pulvinaria 43 

Punica  granatum 156 

Quercus  laurifolia 61, 103 

nigra 61 


PAGE 

Quercus  phellos 61 

virginiana 61, 103 

Quisqualis  indica 163 

Ramona  rose 163 

Raphia  ruffia 123 

taedigera 123 

Raphiolepis  indica 66, 150 

ovata 66,  750 

Rattan 118 

Ravenala  guianensis 180 

madagascariensis 52, 179 

Red  bay 85 

Red  bud 105 

Red  cedar 102 

Red  maple 61, 107 

Red  stopper 107 

Rhabdadenia  biflora 112 

Rhapidophyllum  hystrix.  .  .  .2,97,09 

Rhapis  flabelliformis 120 

humilis 126 

Rhipsalis  cassytha 184 

Rhodomyrtus  tomentosus.  .  .  .52, 75 6 

Rhoeo  discolor 54, 180 

Rhopalostylus  baueri 123 

sapida 123 

Richardia 180 

Ricinus  sanguineus 135 

Rondeletia  odorata 750 

Rosa 750, 163 

cherokeensis 777 

setigera 777 

Rose  apple 65,  754 

Royal  poinciana 133 

Ruellia  formosa 180 

makoyana 180 

Russellia  juncea 180 

Sabal 51,91,99,  125 

adansoni 2,  51,97,  99 

Sacred  ti  tree 60, 135 

Saint  John's  bread 132, 153 

Sambucus  intermedia 52,  108 

Sanchezia  nobilis 180 

Sanseviera 180 

Sapindus  saponaria 707 

Sapodilla 752 

Saraca  indica 138 

Sausage  tree 136 

Saw  palmetto 51,  99 

Saxifraga  sarmentosa 180 

Schinus  molle 138 

terebinthifolius 138 

Schismatoglottis 181 

Schizolobium  excelsum 139 

Schomburgkia  tibicina 67 

Sciadophyllum  pulchrum 139 

Sciadopitys  verticillata 139 


INDEX 


197 


Scotch  attorney 132 

Seaforthia  elegans 118 

Sedum 54 

Selaginella 181 

Serenoa  serrulata 51, 97, 99 

Sericographis  pauciflora 181 

Seven  years  apple 108 

Shore  grape 51, 104 

Silk  cotton  tree 130, 134 

Simaruba  glauca 106 

Snapdragon 168 

Soapberry 107 

Solandra  grandiflora 164 

guttata 164 

Solanum  seaforthianum .39, 164 

wendlandi 164 

Solfaterre  rose 163 

Sophora  tomentosa no 

Spathodea  campanulata 130 

Spider  lily 116 

Spirea  reevesi 151 

salicifolia 151 

vanhouttei 151 

Spondias 62 

Sporobalus  indicus 40 

Standing  cypress 185 

Stanhopea 69 

Star  apple 153, 154 

Sterculia  acerifolium 139 

alata 139 

carthagenensis 139 

f  oetida 139 

platanifolia 139 

Stereospermum  sinicum 139 

suaveplens 139 

Stephanotis  floribunda 164 

Stevensonia  grandifolia 123 

Stigmaphyllum 92 

ciliatum ,  164 

Stinking  cedar 102 

Strawberry  geranium 180 

Strelitzia  nicolai 181 

reginae 181 

Strobilanthus  anisophyllus ....  181 

dyerianus 181 

isophyllus 181 

Sugar  palm 92 

Sunflower 185 

Sweet  alyssum 185 

Sweet  gum 105 

Sweet  myrtle 66 

Swietenia  mahagoni 60, 106 

Sword  fern 81,  86 

Tabebuia  pentaphylla 140 

Tabernaemontana  coronaria. .  .  151 


PAGE 

Tacsonia 165 

Talinum  patens 181 

Talipot  palm 124, 181 

Tamarind 156 

Tamarindus  indica 140, 156 

Tecoma  australis 164 

capensis 164 

grandiflora 164 

jasminoides 164 

radicans 39, 113 

ricasolina 164 

stans in,  151 

velutina 751 

Tectaria  heracleifolia 114 

Terminalia  catappa n,  740 

Thalia  divaricata 116 

Theobroma  cacao 740 

Theophrasta .  .  . 140 

Thespesia  grandiflora 140 

populnea 109 

Thevetia  neriifolia 140 

Thrinax. 51,99, 101 

altissima 127 

argentea 127 

barbadensis 127 

floridana 100 

keyensis 100 

microcarpa 100 

morrisi 127 

parviflora 100, 127 

pumilio 127 

radiata . 127 

wendlandiana 100 

Thrincoma  alta 127 

Thunbergia 165,  185 

alata 165 

coccinea 165 

erecta 36, 165' 

grandiflora 165 

laurifolia 165 

Tillandsia 184 

fasciculata 115 

Tongue  fern 86 

Torch  wood 106 

Torenia 181 

Torreya  taxifolia 102 

Trachelospermum  jasminoides .      165 

Trachycarpus  excelsus 127 

Tradescantia  discolor 54 

zebrina 165 

Traveller's  tree 179 

Tree  tanglefoot 45 

Triphasia  trifoliata 66, 153 

Tropaeoleum 181 

Tropical  almond 92 

Tropical  papaw 153 


I98 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Tumion  taxifolium 102 

Ulmus  americanus 103 

Umbrella  china  tree - 92 

Umbrella  plant 169 

Umbrella  tree 61 

Vallaris  heynei 165 

Vallota  purpurea 181 

Vanda  caerulea 69 

teres 69 

Vanilla  articulata ^ri I 

eggersi I  n 

Velvet  plant 175 

Verbena 141, 182 

maritima 1 16 

Veronica 151 

longif  olia 14 1 

Verschaffeltia  splendida 124 

Viburnum  tinus 141,  751 

Victoria i6p,  182 

Vigna  catjang 20 

Vinca 182 

Violet 182 

Virginia  creeper 54 

Vittaria  lineata 1 14 

Vriesia  splendens 184 

Wallachia  caryotoides 124 

Washingtonia  filifera 127 

robusta 58, 127 

sonorae 727 

Water  oak 61 

Water  poppy 169 


PAGE 

Wax  myrtle 85 

Wax  palm 124 

Wax  plant v.  161 

West  Indian  birch 106 

White  elm 61 , 103 

Wild  calabash 97 

Wild  cinnamon 107 

Wilddilly 108 

Wild  fig 105 

Wild  orange 105 

Wild  rubber 85 

Willow  oak 61 

Wine  palm 91 ,  92 

Wistaria  var.  alba 765 

brachybotra 165 

chinensis 165 

var.  rubra 165 

Woman's  tongue 59 

Woodbine 56,87 

Xanthosoma  javanica 182 

lindeni 7  #2 

Yaupon 85 

Yellow  day  lily 196 

Yucca  aloifolia 770 

filamentosa ^ 182 

gloriosa 770 

Zebrina  pendula 165 

Zephyranthes  atamasco 775 

simpsoni 775 

treatei 775 

Zinnia 185 


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